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BOSTON 

AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION 
1914 



Copyright, 1914 
THE American Unitarian Association 



COMPOSITION AND ELECTROTYPING 
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 

PRESSWORK AND BINDING 
F. H. GILSON COMPANY, BOSTON, MASS. 



AUG 21 J9t4 




©CI.A379184 



PREFACE 



The Book of Services for Congregational Worship is the outcome of the labors 
of a Committee appointed on November 14, 191 1, by the Directors of the 
American Unitarian Association. The Committee consisted of Rev. Samuel 
A. Eliot, Rev. Howard N. Brown, Rev. Thomas Van Ness, Rev. WilHam S. 
Jones, Rev. John H. Lathrop, Rev. Sydney B. Snow. The book has been 
prepared to meet the growing demand for a convenient and well-considered 
manual of worship adapted to the use of the Free Churches of the Congregational 
order. For this reason the simple order of service adopted is the form already 
familiar in many of these churches. It has had a natural growth and is, apparently, 
best suited to their common requirements. No part of the book as it stands bears 
the stamp of any single mind. It is the product of a group of minds, fairly 
representative of different shades of judgment and experience. In the prepara- 
tion of the first five services the Committee has limited itself for the most part 
to editing material already at hand; this has been taken from a wide variety of 
sources, both ancient and modern. The services for special days and occasions 
reflect to a greater extent the individual taste and feehng of the members of the 
Committee. 

That the work of the Committee, protracted and painstaking as it has been, 
has provided a final solution for the problem of public worship would be too 
much to claim. Services put together with far less thought have, however, held 
their place for years and have become endeared to the congregations using them. 
The members of the Committee cherish the hope that the services now offered 
will win for themselves an even deeper esteem. They are bold enough to think 
that the suggested readings and prayers contain less to which reasonable minds 
can make objection and more that is of the highest rank as an expression of 
reHgious thought and feeling than any heretofore employed in our churches. 
Especially do they believe that the Responsive Readings from the Psahns are 
the best ever compiled for general use. 

With the fervent hope that these utterances of the spirit which searcheth the 
deep things of God may commend themselves to all who are striving to worship 
the Father in spirit and in truth, these services for congregational worship are 
offered to the churches of the Free Christian faith. 



CONTENTS 

Page 



First Service i 

Second Service 4 

Third Service 7 

Fourth Service 10 

Fifth Service 13 

A Service for Christmas 16 

A Service for Easter 20 

A Service of Thanksgiving 24 

A Service of Righteousness and Peace 28 

A Service of Commemoration 32 

A Communion Service . 35 

Prayers, Thanksgivings and Collects for Occasional Use . . 38 

Selections from the Book of Psalms 53 



FIRST SERVICE 



t 



€1. One or more of these sentences to be read 
by the minister 

O magnify the Lord with me, and let 
us exalt his name together; for with 
him is the fountain of life, and in his 
light shall we see light. Psalms xxxiv. 
3; xxxvi. 9. 

The hour cometh, and now is, when 
the true worshippers shall worship the 
Father in spirit and in truth; for the 
Father seeketh such to worship him. 
God is a spirit, and they that worship 
him must worship him in spirit and in 
truth. John iv. 23, 24. 

Surely the ^ Lord is in this place. 
This is none other than the house of 
God, and this is the gate of heaven. 
Genesis xxviii. 16, 17. 

Wherewith shall I come before the 
Lord, and bow myself before the high 
God? He hath showed thee, O man, 
what is good; and what doth the Lord 
require of thee, but to do justly, and to 
love mercy, and to walk humbly with 
thy God? Micah vi. 6, 8. 

Not every one that saith unto me, 
Lord» Lord, shall enter into the king- 
dom of heaven; but he that doeth the 
will of my Father who is in heaven. 
Matthew vii. 21. 

Whoso looketh into the perfect law 
of liberty, and continueth therein, he 
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer 
of the work, this man shall be blessed 
in his deed. James i. 25. 



Choose ye this day whom ye will 
serve; but as for me and my house we 
will serve the Lord. The Lord our 
God will we serve and his voice will 
we obey. Joshua xxiv. 15, 24. 

To be said by the minister 

With reverence and gratitude we 
adore the Eternal Goodness which 
makes our lives so rich and fruitful. 
Let us lift up our hearts unto the Lord, 
and bless his holy name; and may our 
praises and our prayers help to make 
our whole life an offering pure and 
acceptable in his sight. 

Let us pray. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

O Thou, whose never-failing provi- 
dence ordereth all things, both in heaven 
and on earth : we praise thee, we glorify 
thee, we give thanks unto thee for all 
thou art to us, and all thou doest for 
us, day by day. For reason and con- 
science, for nurture and guidance, and 
for all the gifts of nature and of grace; 
for thy forbearance and long-suffering, 
and thy tender mercies which never 
fail; for all good things received, and 
for thy promise, and our hope of good in 
time to come; for these and all other 
mercies, known or unknown, remem- 
bered or forgotten, we will give thanks 
unto thee now and evermore. Amen. 



2 



FIRST SERVICE 



€L To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, the source of all being and all 
joy: 

Let thy blessing he upon us, and fill 
us with thy love. 

From all jealousy and envy, from all 
unkindness, from offence given or taken, 
from unrighteous anger and an impa- 
tient spirit, from a hard and unforgiving 
temper, and from evil-speaking, 

0 Lordy deliver us. 

From an unquiet and discontented 
spirit, from despondency and gloom, 
0 Lord, deliver us. 

From fears and misgivings, from 
doubts of thy boundless love, and from 
forgetfulness of thy tender mercies, 

0 Lord, deliver us. 

Inspire in us, we pray thee, that spirit 
which suffereth long and is kind; which 
envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not 
puffed up; which doth not behave itself 
unseemly, and seeketh not its own; 

Grant us to be filled with the fulness of 
thy spirit. 

Quicken in us that charity which is 
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, 
rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth 
in the truth; which beareth all things, 
believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
endureth all things; the charity which 
never faileth. 

That so by thy grace we may establish 
good ivill upon the earth. 

O thou who art the God and Father 
of us all, who hast breathed thine own 
spirit into thy children and made us to 
be at one with each other as members of 
thy household : enable us, we pray thee, 
to keep the unity of the spirit in the 
bond of peace. Amid diversities of 
knowledge and of faith, may we be 



one in spirit, in brotherly affection and 
in devotion to thy holy will. Deliver 
us from all blindness and prejudice, and 
whatsoever else would turn our hearts 
from one another. By the charity of 
our temper and thoughts, may we show 
forth the power of the gospel of love, 
and live in unity with all our brethren, 
as followers of the Prince of Peace. " 

d. To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is 
in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil; for thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

^ The service may then proceed with a responsive 
reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, 
and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such 
order as has become customary in any church 

PRAYERS 

€1. The minister to read one or more of the folloiving 
or offer prayer in his ovm words 

The Lord be with you. 
And with thy spirit. 



FIRST SERVICE 



3 



Let us pray. O Lord, show thy 
mercy upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts 
within us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

Father of hghts and Giver of all good, 
we praise thee that thou callest us to 
share as thine own sons and daughters 
the life of freedom, truth and love. 
Grant, we pray thee, that in purity of 
heart we may receive and manifest the 
blessings of thy universal life here in 
thy kingdom upon earth and in thy 
presence evermore. Amen. 

O God, grant unto us that we be not 
unwise, but filled with the knowledge 
of thy will; not slothful, but diligent in 
thy work; that we run not as uncer- 
tainly, nor fight thy battles as those that 
beat the air. Whatsoever our hand 
findeth to do, may we do it with our 
might: that when thou shalt call thy 
laborers to receive their reward, we shall 
have so run that we may obtain; have 
so fought the good fight as to receive 
the crown of eternal life. Amen. 

We thank thee, O God, for the endless 
renewing of life. Thou that art never 
weary of setting us free from the bonds 
wherewith we have bound ourselves, 
make us to walk in this new day with- 
out fear or any kind of bondage. Open 
our eyes to receive new light; open our 
ears to hear the voices that are calling 
to us to make the world new by the 
power of love. Fit us for the task that 
is ours, and endue us with the spirit 
of that heavenly kingdom which is to 
come upon the earth where all shall be 



brothers and men shall be the people of 
God. Amen. 

Clear, O Lord, our inner vision, that 
we may see through the false shows 
of life, and be kept calm and true by 
thy great realities. Waken us from the 
dreams of the earthly mind in its forget- 
fulness of thee. Reveal to the young 
what it is to live this great life of 
opportunity; and fill them with the 
pure and undefiled religion which will 
keep them unspotted from the world. 
And in the hearts of elders let not the 
fires die nor their work linger, till 
they are overtaken by the lengthen- 
ing shadows of their appointed time. 
Though we know nothing of the mor- 
row, may we be faithful to-day; gladly 
accepting the humblest task that waits 
for us by thy will and shines with the 
holy light of thine approval. Amen. 

O God, the protector of all who put 
their trust in thee : we pray for the good 
estate of this our beloved land, that it 
may please thee to preserve to us the 
blessings of an equal and impartial 
freedom. Unite in mutual understand- 
ing men of alien race and faith; revive 
in all hearts a spirit of devotion to the 
public good, that strife and tumult may 
be appeased and justice and truth be 
exalted. Enable us and all thy people 
faithfully to discharge the duties of our 
different spheres, that so the king- 
dom of brotherhood and peace may be 
hastened upon the earth and thy will be 
done even as now it is done in heaven. 
Amen. 

€1. Then may he sung an anthem or, a hymn, to 
he followed hy the sermon, a congregational 
hymn, and the benediction 



SECOND SERVICE 



€L One or more of these sentences to he read 
by the minister 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all 
that is within me bless his holy name. 
Psalm ciii. 1. 

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is 
good, for his mercy endureth forever. 
Psalm cxxxvi. 1. 

Know ye that the Lord he is God; 
it is he that hath made us, and not we 
ourselves; we are his people, and the 
sheep of his pasture. Enter into his 
gates with thanksgiving, and into his 
courts with praise. Psalm c. 3, 4. 

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, 
and ye shall find; knock, and it shall 
be opened unto you. For every one 
that asketh receiveth; and he that 
seeketh findeth; and to him that 
knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 
vii. 7, 8. 

If we say that we have no sin, we 
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not 
in us. If we confess our sins, God is 
faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unright- 
eousness. 1 John i. 8, 9. 

Search me, O God, and know my 
heart; try me, and know my thoughts; 
and see if there be any wicked way in 
me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 
Psalm cxxxix. 23, 24. 

The Lord is nigh unto all that call 
upon him, to all that call upon him in 
truth. Psalm cxlv. 18. 



€L To he said by the minister 

In the holy quiet of this hour, let us 
draw nigh to him who heareth prayer; 
and let us remember that he listeneth 
more to our hearts than to our words. 
Let each of us bring an offering of 
penitence, if not of purity; of love, 
if not of holiness; of teachableness, if 
not of wisdom; of devout obedience 
for the time to come, if not the 
fruits of well-doing in the time that 
is past. And may we obtain mercy, 
and find grace to help in time of 
need. 

Let us pray. 

€1^ To be said by minister and people 
together 

O God, unto whom all hearts are open, 
all desires known, and from whom no 
secrets are hid : we are heartily sorry for 
the sins which we have at any time 
committed, in thought or affection, in 
word or deed. We pray thee to look 
graciously upon us and forgive us. 
Help us to lay aside every weight 
and the sins which so easily beset us. 
We offer thee our whole being, our 
bodies and souls, to be thy temple for 
ever. Take us, O Lord, into thy hands, 
and let nothing henceforward, either in 
life or death, separate us from thee any 
more. Amen. 



SECOND SERVICE 



5 



€L To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

Almighty and most merciful God, 
toward whose everlasting blessedness 
we ascend by the strong desire of the 
soul, and by patient continuance in 
well-doing; lead us by thine inspiration 
to seek our true life with thee, and 
earnestly to strive to enter thy heavenly 
kingdom. 

Send out thy light and thy truth: let 
them lead us. 

Set us free from the bondage of self- 
will, and passion, and ungodly desire, 
that sin may not have dominion over 
us; but that with a willing mind we 
may serve thee, the Lord of heaven 
and earth. 

Sanctify and renew us in the spirit of 
our minds. 

From unrighteous anger and an im- 
patient temper; from an uncharitable 
judgment and readiness to believe evil; 
from inordinate cares and needless anxi- 
eties; from complaints against thee and 
from rebellion against thy holy will : — 

0 Lord, deliver us. 

Give us a wise and understanding 
heart, a fervent and faithful spirit, a 
love of holy things, and a longing for 
whatsoever is good and pure. 

Lordy fix our hearts on thee. 

Grant that we faint not, but though 
our outward man perish, may our in- 
ward man be renewed day by day. 

Help us to live and walk in thy spirit. 

Protect and bless our friends and 
kindred, and so fill us with gentleness 
and kindness that we may dwell in our 
homes with a perfect heart, and have 
joy in each other which passeth not 
away. 

i Hear us and bless us as we pray. 



Assist us in all our doings with thy 
gracious favor and further us with thy 
continual help; that in all our works, 
begun, continued, and ended in thee, we 
may glorify thy holy name. 

Lordy our trust is in thee. 

€L To he said hy minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil: for thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the 
glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 
We lift them up unto the Lord. 
O Lord, open thou our eyes. 
That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

The service may then proceed with a responsive 
reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, 
and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such 
order as has become customary in any church 

PKAYERS 

CL The minister to read one or more of the follovnng 
or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with you. 

And with thy spirit. 
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 



6 



SECOND SERVICE 



Almighty God, who hast bidden us 
seek that we may find, and who pourest 
out on all who desire it the spirit of thy 
grace : deliver us when we draw near to 
thee from coldness of heart and wander- 
ing of mind, that with steadfast thoughts 
and kindled affections we may worship 
thee in spirit and in truth. Amen. 

O God, our light in darkness, our 
strength in weakness, and our eternal 
home, be unto us merciful, long suffer- 
ing, and patient: that we who are slow 
of growth may hope to come at last to 
thy hkeness; and, being upheld by thee, 
may go from strength to strength, until, 
having safely passed through the joy and 
duty of this earthly life, we come, in the 
fulness of thy mercy, into the land of 
thine eternal peace. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who 
art the author of every good and perfect 
gift: send down upon all ministers of 
the gospel, and upon all congregations 
committed to their charge, the needful 
spirit of thy grace; and that they may 
truly please thee pour upon them the 
continual dew of thy blessing. Grant 
this, O heavenly Father, for thine in- 
finite mercy's sake. Amen. 

0 Lord, our heavenly Father, who 
dost behold all the dwellers upon earth : 
most heartily we beseech thee to behold 
with thy favor the President and Con- 
gress of the United States; and so 
replenish them with the grace of thy 
holy spirit that they may incline to thy 
will, and walk in thy way. Endue them 
plenteously with heavenly gifts, that they 
may be enabled to promote the national 
prosperity and to secure the peace, 



liberty, and safety of the United States, 
throughout all generations. Amen. 

O God, the Creator and Preserver of 
all mankind : we pray thee for all sorts 
and conditions of men, that thou wouldest 
be pleased to make thy ways known 
unto them, thy saving health unto all 
nations. We commend to thy fatherly 
goodness all those who are any ways 
afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or 
estate; that it may please thee to com- 
fort and relieve them according to their 
several necessities, giving them patience 
under their sufferings, and a happy issue 
out of all their afflictions. Amen. 

O Thou who hast compassed all the 
pathway of our lives: we thank thee 
that thy providence abides through 
every change. Thou dost cheer the 
loneliest lot with the comfort of thy 
presence, and we bless thee for thine 
unfailing care. Into thine own eternity 
thou hast called us, and set us in the 
midst of purposes we cannot measure; 
but we would thank thee for the good 
we know, and pray that thou wilt 
teach us patience till thou send more 
light. Waken our hearts to gratitude, 
O God, for mercies which have flowed 
upon us, day by day, in joy and sorrow, 
in health and sickness, in labor and 
repose. Give us grace to serve thee 
with our whole lives, that all manner of 
darkness and evil may be driven from 
our hearts, and that we may walk with 
joy in the way of thy commandment to 
love thee with our whole heart, and our 
neighbor as ourselves. Amen. 

Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be 
followed by the sermon, a congregational 
hy mn, and the benediction 



THIRD SERVICE 



<IX One or more of these sentences to he read by 
ike minister 

There is one God and Father 
of all, who is above all, and through 
all, and in you all. Ephesians iv. 
6. 

The hour cometh and now is when 
the true w^orshippers shall worship 
the Father in spirit and in truth; 
for the Father seeketh such to wor- 
ship him. God is spirit, and they 
that worship him must worship him 
in spirit and in truth. John iv. 23, 
24. 

Know ye not, that ye are the temple 
of God, and that the spirit of God 
dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians iii. 
16. 

For as many as are led by the spirit 
of God, they are the sons of God. 
Romans viii. 14. 

Behold what manner of love the 
Father hath bestowed upon us, that 
we should be called the sons of God. 
1 John iii. 1. 

The path of the just is as the 
shining light, that shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 
iv. 18. 

Come walk in his way with songs of 
joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee 
away. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace 
whose mind is stayed on thee. Isaiah 
XX vi. 3. 



€1. To be said by the minister 

God that made the world and all 
things therein, seeing that he is Lord 
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in 
temples made with hands; neither is 
worshipped with men's hands as though 
he needed anything, seeing he giveth 
to all life and breath and all things; 
and hath made of one blood all nations 
of men to dwell on all the face of the 
earth; and hath determined the times 
before appointed, and the bounds of 
their habitation; that they should seek 
the Lord, if haply they might feel after 
him and find him, though he be not 
far from every one of us; for in him 
we live and move and have our being. 

Let us pray. 

m. To be said by minister and people 
together 

O Thou unseen, yet ever near our 
souls: anew we ask, with common 
needs and sympathies, thy help and 
blessing in our lives. Be with us now, 
as we remember before thee our strug- 
gles and our failures. Lord, we con- 
fess our unworthiness, and ask of thee 
more strength for duty, and a deeper 
faith. Take us into the fellowship of 
all pure hearts that cry to thee; teach 
us our kin with all who have conquered 
in difficulty, and loved even through 
their pain; and so make our worship 
fruitful in toil and trust. Amen. 



8 



THIRD SERVICE 



€L To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

O Thou eternal and everlasting One, 
who hath chosen for thy temple the 
souls of them that are righteous: grant 
to us, we pray thee, a quick and tender 
conscience, that we fail not to heed 
every suggestion of thine indwelling 
spirit. 

, Lift us into thy light and truth. 

Reveal to us the beauty of thy per- 
fect will, the gladness of thy service, 
the power of thy presence in our hearts, 
that so without fear we may follow 
whithersoever thou dost lead. 

Be thou, 0 Lordy our guide and help 
for evermore. 

Calm the turbulence of our passions, 
quiet the throbbings of our hopes and 
fears, repress the waywardness of our 
wills, and direct the motions of our 
affections. 

Strengthen us to bear our trials 
patiently and to glorify thee through 
our daily life. 

We pray thee to bless and comfort 
the aged, to give strength unto such as 
are bearing the burden and heat of 
the day, and to preserve all whom we 
love from the dangers of this present 
life. 

Prepare them, 0 Lord, by thy grace 
for life eternal. 

Sanctify us by thy quickening pres- 
ence, that no ignorance or sin may per- 
vert us, and deepen in our minds such 
a sense of thy goodness that we may 
ever devote ourselves to thy service 
in word and deed, and praising thee 
both with our lips and our lives may go 
onward, through thy mercy, to the joy 
of life everlasting. 

Amen. 



€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who tres- 
pass against us. And lead us not into 
temptation; but deliver us from evil: 
for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory for ever and 
ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 
, The Lord's name be praised. 

€L The service may then proceed vnth a responsive 
reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, 
and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such 
order as has become customary in any church. 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister to read one or more of the follow- 
ing or offer prayer in his ovm words 

The Lord be with thee. 

And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within 
us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from 
us. 



THIRD SERVICE 



9 



O God, who puttest into our hearts 
such deep desires that we cannot be at 
peace until we rest in thee: mercifully 
grant that the longing of our souls may 
not go unsatisfied because of any un- 
righteousness of life that may separate 
us from thee. Open our minds to the 
counsels of eternal wisdom; breathe into 
our souls the peace which passeth un- 
derstanding. Let our hunger and thirst 
be for righteousness, that we may be 
filled with the bread of heaven. O 
Lord, give us grace to seek first thy 
kingdom; and we know that thou wilt 
add unto us all things needful. Amen. 

Most merciful God, who never failest 
them that trust in thee: give us grace 
in all difficulties and distresses to rest 
in the assurance of thy wisdom and thy 
love. Thou wilt keep him, O Lord, in 
perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
thee. Suffer us not to be oppressed with 
the cares of this life, but grant that, 
having done our part in all honesty and 
diligence, we may cheerfully commit our- 
selves to thy providence, casting all our 
cares on thee, and being strengthened to 
say, even in our darkest hour. Father, 
not our will, but thine, be done. Amen. 

Thou who art the Providence of the 
World, from whom cometh every good 
and perfect gift: let thy blessing now 



rest upon us as a people. Enable 
every race which thou hast drawn 
hither by thy guiding spirit to dedicate 
its noblest gifts to the common good. 
Grant us wisdom to make the homes 
of our land abodes of comfort; grant us 
knowledge to lead all children in the right 
way. Inspire us with a new sense of 
sympathy for those who are in sorrow, 
need, or any other adversity, and for 
those who are worn with excessive toil. 
Hasten the day when the sense of 
kinship shall be firm and strong. In- 
crease in us the manifold gifts of thy 
spirit, that through thy counsel and 
might we may do those works which 
glorify thee and gladden and uplift 
human lives. So, as co-workers with 
thee, shall we help to establish good will 
upon the earth, and to bring thy king- 
dom to every heart. Amen. 

O Thou who art the strength of all 
souls: guide us through the darkness of 
this world, guard us from its perils, 
hold us up and strengthen us when we 
grow weary in our mortal way; and 
lead us by thy chosen paths, through 
time and through death, to our eternal 
home in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. 

€L Then may be sung an anthem or hymn, to he 
followed by the sermon, a congregational 
hymn, and the benediction 



FOURTH SERVICE 



C. One or more of these sentences to be read by 
the minister 

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make 
straight in the desert a highway for our 
God. Isaiah xl. 3. 

They that wait upon the Lord shall 
renew their strength; they shall mount 
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, 
and not be weary: they shall walk, 
and not faint. Isaiah xl. 31. 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the 
Lord? or who shall stand in his holy 
place? He that hath clean hands and 
a pure heart; who hath not lifted up 
his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceit- 
fully. He shall receive the blessing 
from the Lord, and righteousness from 
the God of his salvation. Psalm xxiv. 
3, 4, 5. 

Thoughts of peace, saith the Lord, do 
I think toward you; ye shall go and 
pray unto me, and I will hearken to you; 
ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye 
shall search for me with all your heart. 
Jeremiah xxix. 11, 12, 13. 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of 
God? The temple of God is holy, which 
temple ye are. 1 Corinthians iii. 16, 17. 

€1 To be said by the minister 

God, in whom we live and move and 
have our being, never leaves us day or 
night. But the very nearness and cus- 
tom of his presence hide him from our 
infirm and sinful hearts, temptations 



gain a shameful power, and the good 
that is in us droops and fades. To clear 
such blindness away and recover the 
pure wisdom of a Christian mind, we are 
called to this day of remembrance and 
this house of prayer. Entering here, 
therefore, we cross the threshold of 
eternal things, and commune with the 
Father who seeth in secret. Let us 
shake off the dust of transitory care, 
and every disguise that can come be- 
tween us and God; and remembering 
whose disciples we strive to be, come to 
the simplicity, though it should be also 
to the sorrows of the Christ. 
Let us pray. 

CL To be said by minister and people 
together 

O God, before whose face the genera- 
tions rise and pass away: age after age 
the living seek thee, and find that of 
thy faithfulness there is no end. Our 
fathers in their pilgrimage walked by 
thy guidance, and rested on thy com- 
passion; still to their children be thou 
the cloud by day, the fire by night. 
Where but in thee have we a Covert from 
the storm or shadow from the heat 
of life? In our manifold temptations, 
thou alone knowest and art ever nigh; 
in sorrow, thy pity revives the fainting 
soul; in our prosperity and ease, it is 
thy spirit only that can wean us from 
our pride, and keep us low. O thou 
sole source of peace and righteousness, 



FOURTH SERVICE 



11 



take now the veil from every heart, 
and join us in one communion with thy 
prophets and saints who have trusted 
in thee, and were not ashamed. Not 
of our worthiness, but of thy tender 
mercy, hear our prayer. Amen. 

€L To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

Almighty and everlasting God, in 
communion with thy saints in all ages, 
with patriarchs and prophets, apostles 
and martyrs, with our beloved dead 
who have fallen asleep in thy peace: 
we, who are still striving to do and 
bear thy blessed will on earth, adore 
thee, and offer thee our praises and 
supplications. 

Hear our prayers, 0 Lord, we beseech 
thee. 

We ask of thee that wisdom which 
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and 
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and 
good fruits, without partiality and with- 
out hypocrisy. 

Give us, we pray thee, wisdom from 
above. 

Help us to walk with all lowliness and 
meekness, w^th long-suffering, forbear- 
ing one another in love; endeavoring 
to keep the unity of the spirit in the 
bond of peace. 

So may we fulfil the law of love. 

Enable us, by thy grace, to dedi- 
cate ourselves anew to the work 
which thou layest on conscience and 
heart. 

In all we do, be thou, 0 Lord, our 
strength and help. 

Lead us by thy chosen paths, through 
the perils of this mortal life, to our 
eternal home in thy heavenly kingdom. 

Mercifully grant our prayers, 0 Lord. 



Now unto the God of grace: for the 
might of his spirit and the love of 
Christ: 

Be glory in the church throughout all 
ages, world without end. Amen. 

€1. To he said hy minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil: for thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the 
glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

€1. The service may then proceed with a responsive 
reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson^ 
and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such 
order as has become customary in any church 

PRAYERS 

d. The minister to read one or more of the follow- 
ing or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with thee. 
And with thy spirit. 
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 



12 



FOURTH SERVICE 



O God, make clean our hearts 
within us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

Eternal God, who dost commit to us 
the swift and solemn trust of life : waken 
us now, we pray thee, to the claims of 
thy holy will: lay to rest, by the per- 
suasion of thy spirit, the resistance of 
our passion, indolence and fear. Con- 
secrate with thy presence the way our 
feet must go; and the humblest work 
will shine, and the roughest places be 
made plain. Lift us above unrighteous 
anger and mistrust into faith and hope 
and charity, by a simple and steadfast 
reliance on thy sure will, that so we 
may be modest in our time of wealth, 
patient under disappointment, ready 
for danger, serene in death and con- 
fident of everlasting life. Amen. 

Almighty Lord, of whose righteous 
will all things are, and were created; 
who liftest the islands out of the deep, 
and preparest not in vain the habitable 
world: thou hast gathered our people 
into a great nation, and sent them to 
sow beside all waters and multiply 
sure dwellings on the earth. Deepen 
the root of our life in everlasting right- 
eousness. Make us equal to our high 
trusts, reverent in the use of freedom, 
just in the exercise of power, generous in 
the protection of weakness. With all thy 
blessings bless thy servant the President 
of the United States. Fill his heart with 
loyalty to thee. To our legislators and 
counsellors give insight and faithfulness, 
that our laws may clearly speak the 
right, and our judges purely interpret 
it. Let it be known among us how 
thou hatest robbery for burnt-ofifering; 



that the gains of industry may be up- 
right, and the use of wealth consider- 
ate. May wisdom and knowledge be 
the stability of our times and our deep- 
est trust be in thee, the Lord of nations 
and the King of kings. Amen. 

O God, who didst appoint thy church 
to be witness of divine things in all the 
world: revive the purity and deepen 
the power of its testimony : and through 
the din of earthly interests and the 
storm of human passions, let it make the 
still small voice of thy spirit inly felt. 
Nearer and nearer may thy kingdom 
come from age to age; meeting the face 
of the young as a rising dawn, and bright- 
ening the song of the old, "Lord, now 
lettest thou thy servant depart in 
peace." Already let its light abash our 
guilty negligence, and touch with hope 
each secret sorrow of the earth. By thy 
cleansing spirit make this world a fitting 
fore-court to that sanctuary not made 
with hands, where our life is hid with 
Christ in God. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us 
grace at this time with one accord to 
make our common supplications unto 
thee, and dost promise that, when two 
or three are gathered together in thy 
name, thou wilt grant their requests; 
fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and 
petitions of thy servants as may be 
most expedient for them, granting 
us in this world knowledge of thy 
truth, and in the world to come life 
everlasting. Amen. 

€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be 
followed by the sermon, a congregational 
hymn, and the benediction 



FIFTH SERVICE 



€L One or more of these sentences to be read by 
the minister 

O give thanks unto the Lord for he is 
good: for his mercy endureth forever. 
Psalm cxxxvi. 1. 

Come, and let us return unto the 
Lord; and we shall live in his sight. 
Let us know, let us follow on to know 
the Lord: his going forth is as sure as 
the morning; and he will come unto 
us as the rain, as the latter rain that 
watereth the earth. Hosea vi. 1, 2. 

It is of the Lord's loving-kindnesses 
that we are not cast down, because his 
compassions fail not. They are new 
every morning; great is his faithfulness. 
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; 
therefore will I hope in him. Lamenta- 
tions iii. 22, 23, 24. 

The Lord is gracious and full of 
compassion, long suffering and of great 
mercy. The Lord is good to all, and 
his tender mercies are over all hi^ 
works. Psalm cxlv. 8, 9. 

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently 
for him; and he shall give thee the 
desires of thine heart. Psalm xxxvii. 7. 

Let us search and try our ways, and 
turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up 
our hearts with our hands unto God in 
the heavens. Lamentations iii. 40, 41. 

Behold, the tabernacle of God is 
with men; and he shall dwell with them, 
and they shall be his people; and God 
himself shall be with them, and be, 
their God. Revelation xxi. 3. 



Blessed are the pure in heart, for 
they shall see God. Matthew v. 8. 

€L To be said by the minister 

The heavenly Father, in whose pres- 
ence we now stand, is always more 
ready to hear than we to pray; nor 
does anything hide him from us but the 
veil of our impure and earthly mind. 
And since the preparations of even the 
willing heart are not without him, let 
us inwardly pray for the grace of a 
humble and contrite spirit, that for a 
little while we may rise above the haste 
and press of life, and commune with him 
in spirit and in truth. 

Let us pray. 

CL To be said by minister and people 
together 

Infinite and gracious Father, giver 
of all good, to know whom even but in 
part is to lay hold upon thine eternal 
life, grant unto us thy children the 
peace, joy, and courage which come to 
those whose lives are lived in the 
spirit of the Master of men, and cen- 
tred and rooted in the thought of thee. 
Fix in us each noble hope, each worthy 
purpose; free our minds from needless 
fears and cares; confirm our faith in 
thine Eternal Righteousness that so, as 
worthy disciples of him whose example 
we would follow, we may go forward 
striving to do justly, to love mercy, and 
to walk humbly with our God. Amen. 



13 



14 



FIFTH SFRVICE 



d. To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, our true life, in whom and 
by whom all things live, who by thy 
spirit |dost command us to seek thee, 
and art ever ready to be found; to 
know thee is life, to serve thee is 
freedom, to praise thee is the joy and 
happiness of the soul. 

We praise, and bless thee, and give 
ilianks for thy great glory. 

For seasons of bounty and of beauty, 
for nights of quiet sleep, for days of 
health, for the glory of earth, and its 
ministry to our need. 

We bless thy name, 0 Lord. 

For all the generations before us 
who through effort and pain have 
wrought so that w^e might be heirs of 
liberty and truth and peace. 

We thank thee, our Father, and pray 
that we may enter into this heritage. 

For opportunities used and unused, 
for victories over besetting sins, for 
the gladness and courage abiding with 
loyalty, 

We praise thee, 0 God. 

For the discipline that enriches, for the 
burden that strengthens, for the failure 
that is true success, and for the sorrow ' 
that enlarges the heart. 

For these also we rejoice and give thee 
thanks. 

For the soul and its powers, for the 
impulse to share, to serve, and to save. 

We give thee thanks, 0 Lord. 

Keep us, we pray thee, in thy love; 
and in and through the quickening of 
our spirits make us worthy of sonship 
with thee. 

And to thee be the honor and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



€1, To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will b^ done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temp- 
tation; but deliver us from evil: for 
thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That .we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

€L The service may then proceed with a responsive 
reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, 
and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such 
order as has become customary in any church 

PRAYERS 

d. The minister to read one or more of the follow- 
ing or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with you. 

And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts 
within us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

O Lord our God, who turnest into 
morning the shadows of night, grant 



FIFTH SERVICE 



15 



that we may be children of the light 
and of the day. Let the sun of thy 
righteousness shine in our hearts. En- 
lighten our minds, animate our con- 
sciences, and purify our affections. We 
give ourselves to thee this day. So rule 
and govern us by thy spirit that faithless 
distrust and all evil thoughts may be 
driven from our minds; that we may 
walk with joy in the light of thy counte- 
nance and in the way of thy salvation. 
Amen. 

O Thou, who hast neither dawn nor 
evening, yet sendeth us the alternate 
mercies of the darkness and the day: 
as thou liftest the curtain of night from 
our abodes, take also the veil from all 
our hearts . Rise with thy morning upon 
our souls; quicken all our labor and our 
prayer; and, though all else decline, let 
the noontide of thy grace and peace re- 
main. May we walk, while it is yet 
day, in the steps of him who with fewest 
hours finished thy divine work. And 
unto thee, whose we are and whom we 
serve, will we render praise now and for 
evermore. Amen. 

O Thou, who by thy spirit art con- 
tinually calling us to be sons of God 
and who hast set one before us that he 
might be as the first-born of many 
brethren, help us, we pray thee, to 
renounce all vain and evil ways, that so 
we may be like him in faith and love and 
heavenly communion, and finally attain, 
through thy grace, unto the measure of 



the stature of that fulness which thou 
desirest in all thy children. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 
we pray thee to look with favor upon thy 
worshipping people now before thee. 
We commend to thee our homes and our 
country. Defend our liberties and up- 
hold our free institutions. If it be thy 
will, deliver us from violence within and 
from strife without; save us from war- 
fare and pestilence; and bless our people 
with peaceful industries and with happy 
homes. W^e pray thee to bless thy ser- 
vant, the President of the United States. 
Plenteously endue him with wisdom from 
above and abundantly enrich him with 
thy heavenly grace. For all who are 
in authority, we pray that, as they 
rule by thy favor, so they may serve 
in thy fear. So, by thy grace, may we 
be that happy nation whose God is the 
Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us 
grace at this time with one accord to 
make our common supplications unto 
thee, and dost promise that, when two 
or three are gathered together in thy 
name, thou wilt grant their requests: 
fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and peti- 
tions of thy servants as may be most 
expedient for them, granting us in this 
world knowledge of thy truth, and in the 
world to come life everlasting. Amen. 

CI Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to 
be followed by the sermon, a congregational 
hymn, and the benediction 



A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS 



€L One or more of these sentences to be said hy 
the minister 

How beautiful upon the mountains are 
the feet of him that bringeth good tid- 
ings, that pubUsheth peace, that bringeth 
good tidings of good, that pubHsheth 
salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy 
God reigneth. Isaiah lii. 7. 

Arise, shine ! for thy light is come, and 
the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; 
and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, 
and kings to the brightness of thy ris- 
ing. Isaiah Ix. 1, 3. 

Glory to God in the highest, and on 
earth peace, good will to men. Luke 
ii. 14. 

C To he said hy the minister 

The Lord of Life, who maketh the sun 
to shed afar its light and warmth, hath also 
spread abroad his spirit among men that 
they may know the joy of life lived in 
peace and good will. For all his mani- 
fold blessings we are unfeignedly thank- 
ful, but chiefly for the gifts of the spirit 
which he hath bestowed upon us in 
those whom he hath raised up to be his 
prophets. On this day, therefore, let us 
praise him for the life and grace of Jesus 
and for that heavenly kingdom which 
hath taken hold upon the hearts of men 
throughout the world. May the joy of 
his gospel be our joy; and may we be 
not unmindful of the hope that is born 
on this festival of nativity, as we think 



of the little child and the divine possi- 
bilities in each new birth. 

Let us pray. 

CL To he said hy minister and people 
together 

0 Thou who dwellest on high, accept 
this day the gladness of our hearts as 
our richest gift upon thine altar; and 
confirm the spirit of this holy time 
that it may be with us throughout 
the days to come. 

€L To he said hy minister and people 
alternately 

O Lord God, who art in the midst of 

us, mighty to save, who dost rejoice 
over us with joy, we praise thee that thou 
art shown unto us in love and mercy, 
in holiness and devotion everywhere, so 
that thou art never without witness 
among thy people. Especially do we 
praise thee for those members of thy 
family who so serve thy will that having 
seen them, we behold thee. May the 
star of their lives burn before us until 
we too have made thy will our own and 
know that thou art with us alway. 

Open our eyes, 0 Lord, that we may 
see thy glory round about us. 

Make us quick to know each one of 
whom thou dost say "Hear ye him," 
that we may follow the voices of the 
shepherds of mankind. Let no accent 
of thy holy spirit be lost in us, that we 



A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS 



17 



also may wonder at the words of grace 
which proceed out of the mouths of thy 
holy prophets. We would sit at the feet 
of Jesus on the mount and be taught of 
blessedness and love. 

Open our ears, 0 Lord, that we may 
hear the multitude of the heavenly host. 

Father, thou alone knowest the cares 
that press upon us and the burdens 
that weigh us down. When we are beset 
by fears, when we are disheartened, 
lonely or sorrowful, freshen our faith in 
thee and in thy kindly providence, that 
we may praise thee for the hand that 
bears us up. In hours of victory and 
joy as well, save us from ingratitude 
and from forgetfulness of thee. 

Open our mouths, 0 Lord, that we may 
sing. Glory to thee in the highest. 

Make us humble of heart, that we 
may be a fit abiding place for thee, even 
as the manger for the holy child. Purify 
our minds, that we may behold thy 
truth ; sanctify our wills, that we may 
move only to thy purposes; and kindle 
our affections, that our love may be 
broad as thy redeeming love. We would 
that the spirit that was in Jesus should 
be born in us, that we, as thy beloved 
sons, may call thee Father. 

Quicken us, 0 Lord, that we may re- 
ceive these things and ponder them in our 
hearts. Amen. 

€1. To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who iart in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temp- 



tation; but deliver us from evil: for 
thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold .wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

0 Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name he praised. 

RESPONSIVE READING 

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; 
my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth : 

1 have put my spirit upon him; he 
shall bring forth judgment to the peoples. 

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, 
till he have set judgment in the earth; 
and the isles shall wait for his law. 

I will give him for a light to the peoples 
that he may be my salvation unto the end 
of the earth. 

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O 
earth; and break forth into singing, O 
mountains : for the Lord hath comforted 
his people. 

The spirit of the Lord God is upon him; 
because the Lord hath anointed him to 
preach good tidings unto the meek; 

He hath sent him to bind up the 
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to 
the captives, and the opening of the 
prison to them that are bound; 

To proclaim the acceptable year of the 
Lord, to comfort all that mourn; 

To give unto them a garland for 
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the 
garment of praise for the spirit of 
heaviness; 



18 



A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS 



That they might be called trees of 
righteousness, the planting of the Lord, 
that he might be glorified. 

Praise be to God for that spirit which 
from generation to generation entering 
into holy souls maketh them friends of 
God and prophets! 

Blessed be the Lord God; for he hath 
visited and wrought redemption for his 
people; 

As he spake by the mouth of his holy 
prophets, which have been since the 
world began; 

That we should serve him ivithout fear, 
in holiness and righteousness before him 
all our days. 

Blessed is he that cometh in the 
name of the Lord: 

Blessed is the kingdom that cometh. 

The Lord is God, and he hath given 
us light. O give thanks unto the Lord; 

Because of the tender mercy of our God, 
whereby the day spring from on high hath 
visited us. 

To shine upon them that sit in dark- 
ness and to guide our feet into the way 
of peace. 

€L The service may then proceed with a scripture 
lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, 
in such order as has become customary in any 
church 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister to read one or more of the following 
or offer prayer in his oivn words 

The Lord be with you. 
And with thy spirit. 
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 



O Thou whose eye is over all the chil- 
dren of men, and who hast called them by | 
the Prince of Peace into a kingdom not of j 
this world : send forth his spirit speedily 
into the dark places of our guilt and 
woe, and arm it with the piercing power 
of thy grace. May it reach the heart 
of every oppressor, and make arrogancy 
dumb before thee. Let it still the noise 
of our strife and the tumult of the people; 
put to shame the false idols of every 
mind; carry faith to the doubting, hope 
to the fearful, strength to the weak, light 
to the mourner; and more and more 
increase the pure in heart who see their 
God. Commit thy word, O Lord, to the 
lips of faithful men, or the free winds of 
thine invisible providence; that soon the 
knowledge of thee may cover the earth, 
as the waters cover the sea. Amen. 

Holy Father of whom the whole 
family in heaven and earth is named; 
thou who art the giver of every good 
and perfect gift; we thank thee for 
home and -childhood, and for the 
friendships and fellowships that are 
dear to us. Take from us all unhal- 
lowed thoughts and feelings; our vanity 
and pride, and all doubt and jealousj^ 
of others. If any have wronged us we 
ask thee to forgive them and to teach 
us thy forgiveness. Soften and fill our 
hearts with love and gratitude, with 
tenderness and peace, that this day we 
may enter the kingdom as little children. 
Consecrate our joy; help us to serve 
thee with mirth, and whether we eat or 
drink, or whatsoever we do, may we 
do all to thy glory. Amen. 

Our God, who hast mercifully and 
patiently led us through the busy year, ; 



A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS 



19 



giving us more than we have deserved 
or even desired, give us at this Christmas 
time the grace which was in Jesus Christ. 
Let the spirit of the httle child, as it 
knocks to-day at the hearts of men, enter 
our Ufe and bless it. Let duty become 
touched with delight, and justice be 
forgotten in love. Ofttimes we ask 
that we may not fall short of thy re- 
quirements. To-day we ask for more: 
that obligation may be changed to 
opportunity and duty done with joy. 
Ofttimes we ask that we may walk 
uprightly. To-day we pray for grace to 
bow ourselves to others' needs. Let 
our ears hear the cry of the needy, and 
our hearts feel the love of the unlovely. 
Give our hands strength, not to do 



great things, but to do small things 
graciously. Let our gifts to-day be a 
privilege rather than a sacrifice and let us 
accept kindness with humility. Heal the 
wounds of misunderstanding, jealousy 
or regret, and let the gentler air of »the 
Christmas spirit touch our lives, as 
the cold of winter is touched by the 
gentler days of spring. As the old year 
ends and the new year begins, grant us 
peace with the world and peace in our 
own hearts, that those we love and those 
whom we may help may have sweet joy 
and rest. Amen. 

CL Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to he 
folloioed by the sermon, a congregational hymn 
and the benediction 



A SERVICE FOR EASTER 



CL One or more of these sentences to be said by 
the minister 

Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done 
excellent things! Isaiah xii. 6. 

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O 
earth; for the Lord hath comforted his 
people. Isaiah xlix. 13. 

The souls of the righteous are in the 
hands of God and there shall no evil 
touch them. Wisdom iii. 1. 

For to know thee is perfect right- 
eousness : yea, to know thy power 
is the root of immortality. Wisdom 
XV. 3. 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall 
return with songs and everlasting joy 
upon their heads; they shall obtain 
joy and gladness, and sorrow and 
sighing shall flee away. Isaiah xxxv. 
10. 

Except a grain of wheat fall into the 
ground and die, it abideth alone, but 
if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 
John xii. 24. 

When this mortal shall have put on 
immortality, then shall be brought to 
pass the saying that is written. Death 
is swallowed up in victory! 1 Corin- 
thians XV. 54. 

There is a natural body, and there is 
a spiritual body. As we have borne the 
image of the earthy, we shall also bear 
the image of the heavenly. Thanks be 
to God who giveth us the victory. 
1 Corinthians xv. 



€L To be said by the minister 

On this day we celebrate the com- 
ing of that great hope of everlasting 
life which shines through the Gospel. 
Believing that through Jesus the im- 
mortal world has been brought nearer 
to the hearts of men, we praise God for 
the assurance thus given that we shall 
not die, but live. As it is the summit of 
all human joy to know that the life of 
earth may go on into realms of endless 
love and blessedness, let us hold this 
festival with gladness and thanksgiving. 

Let us pray. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

Father of compassion and fountain 
of all goodness, we heartily thank thee 
for thy bountiful gifts to us and to all 
men. We thank thee for the blessings 
of health and strength, and for our con- 
solations in time of trial. We thank 
thee for all kindly charities and pure 
affections, for the means of doing good 
thou hast given, and for the vic- 
tory over sin and death thou hast 
promised us. Above all, we thank thee 
for the revelation of thy goodness, and 
for the love that governs all our ways. 
We therefore bless thy holy name, and 
bring our offering of praise and grati- 
tude, praying that thou wilt establish us 
in every good word and work and make 
us worthy the love thou hast bestowed 
upon us. Amen. 



A SERVICE FOR EASTER 



21 



d. To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, who art Lord over all and 
within all, teach our hearts to sing for 
joy when our lips sing praises unto thee 
for all thy mercies. Banish from our 
souls, we pray thee, gloom, discontent, 
and fear, and make thy love of us 
and our love of thee to be in us joy, 
confidence, and full satisfaction. 

Grant us, 0 Lord, to rest in thee, and in 
thee to have our hearts at peace. 

O God, who hast made us thy sons, 
and heirs of eternal life, grant that 
having this hope we may purify our- 
selves, and become worthy of what 
thou hast in keeping for us. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they 
shall see thee. 

On this day which celebrates the 
power of the soul to outlast the changes 
of earth, and to rise victorious over 
the bondage of death, may our im- 
mortal being hear the call and feel its 
meaning. 

Help us to rise from the death of sin to 
the life of righteousness. 

Make us to know, and feel, that all 
thy children are precious in thy sight, 
and that they live evermore unto 
thee. 

There shall be no more death; and thou 
shalt wipe away all tears from our eyes. 

All glory be to thee, O God, whose light 
hath shined in our hearts to show us a 
way of everlasting life. 

Blessed art thou for this light which no 
darkness overspreads. 

Thou art the Lord, who hast shown us 
such light. 

Thy mercy is everlasting, and thy truth 
endureth from generation to generation. 



€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temp- 
tation; but deliver us from evil: for 
thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 
We lift them up unto the Lord. 
O Lord, open thou our eyes. 
That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

0 Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

RESPONSIVE READING 

The Lord is the portion of mine in- 
heritance and of my cup: thou main- 
tainest my lot. 

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant 
places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 

1 will bless the Lord, who hath given 
me counsel. I have set the Lord al- 
ways before me: because he is at my 
right hand, I shall not be moved. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my 
glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest 
in hope. 

For thou wilt not leave my soul in 
the grave, neither wilt thou suffer thine 
holy one to see corruption. 

Thou wilt show me the path of life: 
in thy presence is fidness of joy. At 



22 A SERVICE FOR EASTER 



tluj right hand there are pleasures for 
evermore. 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall 
not want. He maketh me to lie down 
in green pastures: he leadeth me beside 
the still w^aters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in 
the paths of righteousness for his name's 
sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, I will fear no 
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod 
and thy staff they comfort me. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- 
low me all the days of my life: and I 
will dwell in the house of the Lord for 
ever. 

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for 
he is good; for his mercy endureth 
forever. 

I called upon the Lord in distress: the 
Lord answered me, and set me in a large 
place. 

The Lord is on my side; I will not 
fear what man can do unto me. 

It is better to trust in the Lord than to 
put confidence in man. 

It is better to trust in the Lord than 
to put confidence in princes. 

The Lord is my strength and song, and 
is become my salvation. 

The voice of rejoicing and salvation 
is in the tabernacles of the righteous: 
the right hand of the Lord doeth 
valiantly. 

/ shall not die, but live, and declare the 
worlcs of the Lord. 

The Lord hath chastened me sore: 
but he hath not given me over unto 
death. 

Ope7i to me the gates of righteousness: 



I will go into them, and I will praise the 
Lord. 

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard 
me, and art become my salvation. 

The stone which the builders refused is 
become the head stone of the corner. 

This is the Lord's doing: it is mar- 
vellous in our eyes. 

This is the day which the Lord hath 
made: we will rejoice and be glad in 
it. 

CL The service may then proceed with a scripture 
lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, 
in such order as has become customary in any 
church 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister may read one or more of the follow- 
ing, or may offer prayer in his own loords 

The Lord be with you. 
And with thy spirit. 
Let us pray. 

O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. 
And grant as thy salvation. 
O God, make clean our hearts within us. 
And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

Almighty God, who hast caused the 
light of eternal life to shine upon the 
world, grant that at this holy season our 
hearts may be so kindled with heavenly 
desires, and thy love may be so shed 
abroad in us through thy holy spirit, 
that we may continually seek the things 
which are above. Help us to abide in 
purity of heart and mind, that we may 
at length attain unto thine everlasting 
kingdom, to dwell in thy presence, world 
without end. Amen. 

Our Father in heaven, we thank thee 
for all who have walked in thy light, 
and especially for those near to us and 



A SERVICE FOR EASTER 



23 



dear, in whose lives we have seen thine 
excellent glory and beauty. May we 
know that out of the body as in the 
body they are with thee, and that, 
when these earthly days come to an end, 
it is not that our service of thee and of 
one another may cease, but that it may 
begin anew. Make us glad in all who 
have faithfully lived; make us glad in all 
who have peacefully died. Lift us into 
light and love and purity and blessed- 
ness; and give us at last our portion 
with those who have trusted in thee, 
and sought in all things to do thy holy 
will. Amen. 

O Lord of life, who dwellest in eter- 
nity, and who hast planted in our 
hearts the faith and hope which look 
beyond our mortal life to another, even 
a heavenly country, we give thanks to 
thee this day for the bright shining 
of the light of immortality in Jesus 
Christ. As he has showed us the blessed- 
ness of heaven on earth, and has called 
us into a kingdom not of this world, so 
may our life be made ever richer in 
the things that do not pass away. 
Raise us up, we pray thee, in the power 
of his spirit, from the death of sin to 
the life of righteousness. Prepare us to 
follow him, in hope and trust, through 
all the darkness of the grave into the 
world of light whither he has led the 



way. And, when our spirits shrink be- 
fore the mysteries of life and death, 
may we be comforted by the thought 
of that immortal love which knows no 
change, and feel that, whether we live 
or die, we are safe in thine everlasting 
arms. Amen. 

O God, the King eternal, who dividest 
the day from the darkness and turnest 
the shadow of death into the morning, 
drive far from us all wrong desires, 
incline our hearts to keep thy law, and 
guide our feet into the way of peace; 
that, having done thy will with cheer- 
fulness while it was day, we may, 
when the night cometh, rejoice to give 
thee thanks. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us 
grace at this time with one accord 
to make our common supplications 
unto thee, and dost promise that, when 
two or three are gathered together in 
thy name, thou wilt grant their requests : 
fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and peti- 
tions of thy servants as may be most 
expedient for them, granting us in this 
world knowledge of thy truth, and in the 
world to come life everlasting. Amen. 

€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be 
folloived by the sermon, a congregational hymn, 
and the benediction 



A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING 



€1. One or more of these sentences to he read 
by the minister 

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is 
good; for his mercy endureth forever. 
Psalm cvi. 1. 

Because thy loving kindness is better 
than Hfe, my Hps shall praise thee. 
Psalm Ixiii. 3. 

The Lord shall preserve thee from all 
evil, he shall preserve thy soul. Psalm 
cxxi. 7. 

Serve the Lord with gladness; come 
before his presence with a song. Know 
ye that the Lord he is God : it is he that 
hath made us and not we ourselves; 
we are his people and the sheep of his 
pasture. Enter into his gates with 
thanksgiving, and into his courts with 
praise. Psalm c. 

Praise waiteth for thee, O God of 
our salvation: who art the confidence 
of all the ends of the earth, arid of them 
that are afar off upon the sea; who by 
thy strength settest fast the mountains, 
being girded with power; who stillest 
the waves of the sea, and the tumult 
of the people. Thou visitest the 
earth and waterest it; thou greatly 
enrichest it with the river of God; 
thou crownest the year with thy good- 
ness, and thy paths drop fatness. 
Psalm Ixv. 

O magnify the Lord with me, and let 
us exalt his name together. Psalm 
xxxiv, 3. 



C To be said by the minister 

Let us adore the ever-living God, 
and render praise unto him who spread 
out the heavens and established the 
earth, whose glory is revealed in the 
heavens above and whose greatness is 
manifest throughout the world; he is 
our God and there is none else. There- 
fore we bow the head and bend the knee 
and magnify the King of kings, the 
Holy One; blessed be he. 

Let us pray. 

d. To be said by minister and people 
together 

O Lord our God, who hast bidden the 
light to shine out of darkness, who hast 
again wakened us to praise thy goodness 
and ask for thy grace: accept now, in 
thine endless mercy, the sacrifice of 
our worship and thanksgiving, and grant 
unto us such of our desires as may be 
wholesome for us. Make us to be chil- 
dren of the light and of the day, and 
heirs of thine everlasting inheritance. 
Remember, O Lord, according to the 
multitude of thy mercies, thy whole 
church: all who join with us in prayer; 
all our brethren by land and sea, or 
wherever they may be in thy vast king- 
dom, who stand in need of thy grace 
and succor. Pour out upon all the riches 
of thy mercy, and we will ever praise thy 
glorious name. Amen. 



A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING 



25 



€1. To be said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, our heavenly Father, from 
whom Cometh every good and perfect 
gift: we hft up to thee the voice of our 
thanksgiving; we praise thee for the 
Hfe which thou hast given us, and the 
service to which thou hast appointed us, 
for the knowledge of thy will, and the 
inspiration of thy love: 

We praise thee, 0 our God. 

For the work we have strength to do, 
for the truth we have insight to learn; 
for whatever good there has been in 
our past lives, and for the hopes which 
lead us on toward better things : 

We praise thee, 0 our God. 

For the revealing of thy presence in 
nature, and the tokens of thy wisdom 
and power, in the least as in the great- 
est; for every moment of nearer com- 
munion with thy spirit in all that is 
fair and glorious in the world : 

We praise thee, 0 our God. 

For thy holy word of righteousness 
and truth, spoken by the wise and good 
in every age, made manifest in noble 
and saintly lives: 

We praise thee, 0 our God. 

For home and friends, for all the 
comfort and gladness of our lives, for 
encouragements to duty, for succor 
in temptation, for sympathy in sorrow, 
for the peace that is gained through 
strife, and the rest that comes after 
toil: 

We praise thee, 0 Lord, and bless thy 
holy name. 

When our spirits fail, when our way 
is darkened, when we are oppressed by 
care, or laden with sorrow, or weighed 
down by sin, then, for the love which 



bids us come to thee and lay our burden 
at thy feet: 

We praise thee, 0 God, our Father and 
our Friend. 

Make us ever more worthy of thy 
mercies, as we ourselves show mercy 
to our brethren. 

As all have received thy gifts, even so 
help us to minister the same, that we may 
be good stewards of thy manifold grace. 
Amen. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temp- 
tation; but deliver us from evil: for 
thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

RESPONSIVE READING 

Praise ye the Lord, for it is good 
to sing praises unto our God; for it 
is pleasant, and praise is comely. 

He healeth the broken in heart, and 
bindeth up their wounds. 



26 A SERVICE OF 

He telleth the number of the stars; 
he calleth them all by their names. 

Great is the Lord, and of great power; 
his understanding is infinite. 

Sing unto the Lord with thanks- 
giving; sing praise upon the harp unto 
our God; 

Who covereth the heavens with clouds, 
who prepareth rain for the earth, who 
maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 

He giveth to the beast his food, and 
to the young ravens which cry. 

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that 
fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, for 
he hath strengthened the bars of thy 
gates; he hath blessed thy children 
within thee. 

He maketh peace in thy borders, and 
filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 

He sendeth forth his commandment 
upon earth, his word runneth very 
swiftly. 

He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth 
the hoar-frost like ashes. 

He casteth forth his ice like morsels; 
who can stand before his cold? 

He sendeth out his word and melteth 
them; he causeth his wind to blow, and 
the loaters flow. 

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; 
praise him in the heights. 

Praise ye him., sun and moon, praise 
him, all ye stars of light; 

Mountains and all hills; fruitful 
trees and all cedars; 

Beasts and all cattle; creeping things 
and flying fowl; 

Kings of the earth and all people; 
princes and all judges of the earth; 

You7ig men and maidens; old men 
and children. 

Let them praise the name of the 



THANKSGIVING 

Lord; for his name alone is excellent;, 
his glory is above the earth and heaven. 
Praise ye the Lord. 

€1. The service may then proceed with a scripture 
lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, 
in such order as has become customary in any 
church 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister to read one or more of the following 
or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with you. 

And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within 
us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

Almighty God, in whose hands are 
the destinies of the nations: we pray 
thee to bless our country, and to lead 
us in the way of honor and justice, and 
of true and enduring prosperity. Thou, 
Lord, hast permitted us to increase in 
power and riches. Thou hast endowed 
us with gifts of knowledge and skill, 
and assigned us a place among the 
mighty nations of the world. May we 
be mindful of the trust which thou hast 
thus laid upon us, and ever be found 
faithful to thy cause. Raise up among 
us noble and upright men, to be lead- 
ers and counsellors of the people. 
May all who are in authority exercise 
their power as ministers of thy justice 
and thy mercy, and may a wise and, 
faithful spirit prevail in all our coun- 
cils. Deliver us from all evil ambitions 
and selfish rivalries and false judgments. 
May every calling be fulfilled in hon- 
esty, and every talent be rightly im- 



A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING 



27 



proved. Make us so wisely to love our 
country, and so steadfastly to follow 
after all that makes for its true great- 
ness, that we may hold a worthy place 
in the community of nations, and live as 
fellow-citizens of thy kingdom, in loy- 
alty to thee, the sovereign Lord of all. 
Amen. 

O God, who by thy spirit dost purify 
the minds of men, leading them into 
the truth, kindling in them the grace of 
charity, and drawing them unto thy- 
self in the bond of peace: we beseech 
thee to sanctify our hearts, that every- 
thing which beareth evil fruit may die 
in us, and that all which is good and holy 
may live, and yield the fruit of righteous- 
ness unto eternal life. So guide us 
through the ways of this world that 
no snares may entangle us, no temp- 
tations lead us astray; but that we 
may abide in thy truth, be comforted 
by thy love, and be brought in safety 
into thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. 

Pour into our hearts the spirit of 
unselfishness, so that, when our cup 
overrunneth, we may seek to share our 
happiness with our brethren. O thou 
God of love, who makest thy sun to 
rise on the evil and on the good, and 
sendest rain on the just and on the un- 
just, grant that we may become more 
and more thy true children, as we re- 
ceive into our souls thine own spirit 



of unwearying kindness, and show it 
forth unto the least of thy little ones. 
Amen. 

O most merciful God, whose mercies 
are as high as the heavens, great and 
many as the moments of eternity: fill 
our souls, we beseech thee, with great 
thoughts of thine unspeakable bless- 
ings, that our thankfulness may be as 
great as are our needs of mercy. Let 
thy loving-kindness endure forever and 
forever upon us; and, because we can- 
not praise thee according to thine ex- 
cellence, take our souls, in due time, 
into the land of everlasting praises, 
that we may spend eternity in ascribing 
to thy name glory and honor and do- 
rninion. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us 
grace at this time with one accord to 
make our common supplications unto 
thee, and dost promise that, when two 
or three are gathered together in thy 
name, thou wilt grant their requests: 
fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and 
petitions of thy servants as may be 
most expedient for them, granting us 
in this world knowledge of thy truth, 
and in the world to come life ever- 
lasting. Amen. 

€1. Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be 
followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn 
and the benediction 



A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE 



€1. One or more of these sentences to he read hy 
the minister 

The kingdom of God is righteousness, 
and peace and joy. Romans xiv. 17. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they 
shall be called the children of God. 
Matthew v. 9. 

Let us follow after the things which 
make for peace, and the things whereby 
we may edify one another. Romans 
xiv. 19. 

In this the children of God are mani- 
fest: whosoever doeth not righteousness 
is not of God, neither he that loveth 
not his brother. 1 John iii. 10. 

God is no respecter iof persons, but 
in every nation he that feareth him and 
worketh righteousness is accepted of 
him. Acts x. 34, 35. 

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there 
is liberty. 2 Corinthians iii. 17. 

When the wicked man turneth away 
from his wickedness which he hath 
committed, and doeth that which is 
lawful and right, he shall save his soul 
alive. Ezekiel xix. 27. 

Mercy and truth are met together; 
righteousness and peace have kissed 
each other. P.salm Ixxxv. 10. 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the 
Lord? or who shall stand in his holy 
place? 

He that hath clean hands and a pure 
heart; who hath not lifted up his soul 
unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 
Psalm xxiv. 3, 4. 



(H. To he said by the minister 

In the holy quiet of this hour, let us 
pray that the sense of the nearness 
and faithfulness of God may be quick- 
ened within us. May our hearts be 
filled with gratitude and praise, and 
our daily lives be gladdened and up- 
lifted by the thought of our divine 
kinship, and let us earnestly awaken to 
the high privilege of those accounted 
worthy to be fellow workers with God, 
called by his spirit to bring in the reign 
of righteousness and peace. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

O Thou who keepest the steps of the 
upright in heart, in knowledge of whom 
standeth our eternal life: enable us by 
thy grace to live worthily as in thy 
sight. Inspire us with the spirit of 
devotion to thy holy will whereby we 
may prove faithful in that which is 
least as well as in that which is most. 
Join us in one great fellowship with 
those who seek to make firm and sure 
thy kingdom upon the earth. By the 
charity of our temper and thoughts 
may we show forth the power of the 
gospel of love and so live in unity and 
peace with all men. Amen. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, who hast made of one blood 
all nations of men to dwell in the unity 



A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE 29 



of the spirit which is the bond of peace; 
amid diversities of race and caUing en- 
able us to trust thy divine plan of love, 
in the working out of which thou dost 
give to each generation its appointed 
share. 

Uphold in us, 0 Lordy the faith in 
our common brotherhood, that we may be 
kindly affectioned one toward another. 

Grant that the blessings we have re- 
ceived from those gone before may be 
transmitted to them that are to come, 
with no principle impaired, but strength- 
ened and illuminated by our steadfast 
loyalty and good works. 

Make us worthy, 0 Lord, of all thy 
benefits. 

Revive in us and in the people of this 
land a spirit of devotion to the common 
weal, that so we may be kept from 
sloth and indifference, from every self- 
ish indulgence and impurity, and from 
all corruption of civil government and 
the high citizenship committed to us. 

Lead us, 0 Lord, in thy righteousness. 

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those 
entrusted with authority, that there 
may be peace throughout this land, 
and that we may be an influence for 
good among the nations of the earth. 

Let thy peace, 0 Lord, rule in all our hearts. 

Take from us all jealousy and envy 
at the good of others, all unkindness from 
offences given or taken, all unrighteous 
anger and an impatient spirit. 

0 Lord, deliver us f rom evil. 

€^ To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 



bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil : for thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 

RESPONSIVE READING 

The Lord our God hath prepared 
his throne for judgment. It is he who 
reigneth over all the earth. 

And he will judge the world in righteous- 
ness and minister judgment to the people. 

He will brings forth justice to the na- 
tions; he will bring forth mercy and 
truth. 

The Lord will not fail nor faint till 
he have set justice in the earth; until he 
have burst the cruel yoke asunder, and 
given _ liberty to the captive and to them 
that are oppressed. 

In righteousness and peace hath he 
called us, and set us as a great light 
among the nations. 

And in the need of the times that are 
and shall be, the Lord, the Eternal, shall 
be our help and that of all generations. 

Pray for the peace of our land; let 
all thie people say. Peace be within thee. 

Peace be within thee and prosperity 
within thy borders. 



30 



A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE 



Let the redeemed of the Lord say this, 
whom he hath redeemed from many 
lands, 

And called from the east and from the 
west; from the north and from the south. 

O let them praise the Lord for his 
goodness, 

And for his wonderful works to the 
children of men. 

Arise, O Lord, that the nations may 
know thy power; arise, O God, and let 
not brutish men have dominion upon 
the earth, 

Nor they that know not thy law triumph 
in their might. 

Lighten, O Lord, the dark places of 
the nations, and give peace and godliness 
to the world, 

So that the cruel shall be turned to mercy, 
and the unthankful shall open his heart. 

Pour out thy spirit upon all flesh and 
write thy law upon the hearts of men, 

For then shall there be the flame of 
freedom in mens souls and the light of 
knowledge in their eyes. 

Let justice dwell in the far-oflp isles 
and righteousness abound among the 
people. 

And the work of righteousness shall be 
peace, and the effect of righteousness quiet- 
ness and confidence forever. 

And men shall beat their swords into 
ploughshares and their spears into 
pruning hooks. 

Nation shall not lift up sword against 
nation; neither shall they learn war any 
more. 

Let good-will speed from nation to 
nation; let the voice of friendship pre- 
vail in distant lands. 

Yea: let the whole earth rejoice together 
as one people. 

And the melody of righteousness 



shall be as the new song of them that 
are redeemed. 

So shall all hearts be filled with rejoicing, : , 
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

€L The service may then proceed with a scripture 
lesson and the singing of anthems or hymns, in 
such order as has become customary in any church 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister to read one or more of the following 
or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with you. 

And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray. O Lord, show thy 
mercy upon us. ! 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within 
us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

O Thou in whom are calmness and i 
peace, inspire in us that love which suf- 
fereth long and is kind, which envieth 
not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 
which doth not behave itself unseemly, 
and seeketh not its own: reconcile, we 
pray thee, whatsoever dissensions may 
now divide us, and bring us more 
nearly into a unity of purpose which 
may bear some likeness to thy blessed 
will, and finally, through thy grace, 
unite us all as members of one family, 
that with one heart and one mind we 
may serve and glorify thee our Father, 
and the Father of all mankind. Amen. 

Lord of all, whose balance trieth the 
nations, to lift up or to cast down: 
never through vain conceit may we be 
blind to the unchanging conditions of 
thy blessing. The world and its full- | 
ness are thine; our portion thereof; 



A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE 



31 



may we hold, not in wanton self-will, 
but reverently, as of thee; making it 
the stronghold of right, the refuge of 
the oppressed, and the moderator of 
lawless ambition. Make all who speak 
or act for this nation true organs of 
thy equity, that through their wisdom 
and faithfulness thou mayst be our 
lawgiver and judge. And let it be 
that, as with the people so with the 
chiefs, as with the toiler so with him 
who directeth toil, as with the buyer 
so with the seller, all may know thee 
as weighing the path of the just; that 
righteousness may be the girdle of our 
power, and by justice our common- 
wealth may be established. Amen. 

O Thou whose kingdom is a kingdom 
of justice and mercy, impel, by thy 
righteous spirit, all in whose hands thou 
has placed power and wealth to be faith- 
ful to their stewardship. Protect the 



efforts of sober and honest industry and 
suffer not the hire of the laborer to be 
kept back. Incline to forbearance and 
good will the hearts of those who are em- 
ployed, that so the bonds of union and 
brotherly love may be maintained, and 
evermore firmly established. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us 
grace at this time with one accord 
to make our common supplications 
unto thee, and dost promise that, 
when two or three are gathered together 
in thy name, thou wilt hearken unto 
their requests: fulfil now, O Lord, 
the desires and petitions of thy servants 
as may be most expedient for them, 
granting us in this world knowledge of 
thy truth, and in the world to come life 
everlasting. Amen. 

€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be 
followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn 
and the benediction 



A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION 



€L These sentences to he read by the minister 

Give ear, O my people, to my speech : 
incline your ears to the words of my 
mouth. 

I will open my mouth in a parable: 
I will utter dark sayings of old : 

What we have heard and known, and 
our fathers have told us. 

We will not hide them from their chil- 
dren, showing to the generation to come 
the praises of the Lord, his strength, 
and his wonderful works that he hath 
done. 

For he established statutes, and ap- 
pointed a law, which he commanded 
our fathers to make known to their 
children : 

That the generation to come might 
know them, even the children which 
should be born: who should declare 
them to their children: 

That they might set their hope in 
God, and not forget the works of God, 
but keep his commandments. Psalm 
Ixxviii. 

<L To he said by the minister 

Let us call to remembrance the dead 
yet ever-living who have passed the 
doors beyond which we cannot see. 
As they kept the faith in time of trial 
and held fast to righteousness in the 
hour of temptation, so inspired by their 
example, may we, when danger is near 
and the flesh is weak, triumph over 



every trial and temptation, and finally 
attain unto everlasting life. 

Let us pray. 

m. To be said by minister and people 
together 

Eternal God, in whom the spirits of 
the just do rest from their labors: we 
bless thee for the memory of the right- 
eous, and especially for those most dear 
to us, who have lived in faith and 
departed in peace. May we follow 
their good example, and, truly loving 
and serving thee on earth, be gathered 
with them into thy heavenly kingdom. 
Amen. 

€L To he said by minister and people 
alternately 

O God, who art, and wast, and art to 
come, we rejoice that thou hast never 
left thyself without a witness in the 
world, but by the words and deeds of 
wise and faithful souls hast revealed 
thy abiding presence in the children of 
men. 

Thou didst guide our fathers in their 
ways and thoughts, and didst protect and 
bless them. 

Thou madest a way for them through 
deep waters, and didst set their fqet in a 
large place. 

The winds heard thy voice and were 
stilly and the waves bore the tempest- 
tossed to their desired haven. 



A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION 



33 



Thou hast wrought great glory by 
them, through thy power from the 
beginning, and a Httle one has become 
a thousand, and a small one a strong 
nation. They inherited the land for 
ever, the branch of thy planting, the 
work of thy hands, that thou mightest 
be glorified. 

These were noble men and- women, 
whose courage and righteousness have not 
been forgotten, and whose names shall be 
kept in everlasting remembrance. 

Grant, O Lord, that we, the inheritors 
of their renown, the heirs of their liberty, 
may possess their courage and patience 
and fidelity, and that generations yet 
unborn may adore thee for thy mercy 
and desire thee for thy loving-kindness. 

€L To be said by minister and people 
together 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who tres- 
pass against us. And lead us not into 
temptation; but deliver us from evil: 
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up unto the Lord. 

O Lord, open thou our eyes. 

That we may behold wondrous things 
out of thy law. 

O Lord, open thou our lips. 

And our mouth shall show forth thy 
praise. 

Praise ye the Lord. 

The Lord's name be praised. 



RESPONSIVE READING 

Let us call to remembrance the great 
and good, through whom the Lord hath 
wrought great glory : 

Those who were leaders of the people 
by their judgment, giving counsel by their 
understanding and foresight: 

Wise and eloquent in their teachings, 
and through knowledge and might, fit 
helpers of the people. 

All these were honored in their genera- 
tion, and were the glory of their times. 

There be some who have left a name 
behind them, and whose remembrance 
is sweet. 

And there be some who have no memo- 
rial, who are perished as though they had 
never been. 

But their righteousness has not been 
forgotten, and the glory of their work 
cannot be blotted out. 

Their bodies are buried in peace, but 
their name liveth for evermore. 

The people will tell of their wisdom, 
and the congregation will show forth 
their praise. 

For the memorial of virtue is immortal, 
because it is known with God and with men. 

When it is present men take example 
of it, and when it is gone they earnestly 
desire it. 

It weareth a crown, and triumpheth for 
ever; having gotten the victory striving for 
undejiled rewards. 

The righteous shall be in everlasting 
remembrance, and the memory of the 
just shall be blessed. 

Though a good life hath but few days, 
yet a good name endureth for ever. 

Though the righteous be overtaken 
by death, they shall be at rest; their 
souls are in the hand of God. 



34 



A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION 



Though they perish from the sight of 
men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 

Seeing we are compassed about with so 
great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with 
patience the race that is set before us; 

And let us not he weary in well doing, 
for in due season we shall reap if we faint 
not. 

Mark the perfect man, and .behold the 
upright; for the end of that man is 
peace. 

The path of the just is as the shining 
light, that shineth more and more unto 
the perfect day. 

€1. The service may then proceed with a scripture 
lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns 
in such order as has become customary in any 
church 

PRAYERS 

€L The minister to read one or more of the following 
or offer prayer in his own words 

The Lord be with you. 

And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy 
upon us. 

And grant us thy salvation. 

O God, make clean our hearts within 
us. 

And take not thy holy spirit from us. 

Almighty God, thine is the wisdom of 
the saint and seer, thine the light shin- 
ing in the eyes of holy prophets, and 
thine the love that answereth and filleth 
every prayerful spirit. We bless thee 
for all the holy souls that reveal thee; 
for all unknown and lowly people whose 



daily lives are offerings heroic, sweet, 
and beautiful to thee. Renew thy call 
to us, and lift us into the liberty and joy 
of thy faithful children. Amen. 

Eternal God, w^th whom do live the 
spirits that depart hence, we praise and 
magnify thee for thy grace and blessing 
manifested to all thy true saints and 
faithful ' servants, of every nation and 
every age, who have glorified thee in 
their mortal lives. Grant to us, we 
pray, their spirit of love, and of devo- 
tion to thy will. May their example 
quicken us to a better life; so that we, 
who cherish their memory, may by thy 
grace be gathered into the company of 
those who abide with thee for ever. 
Amen. 

O Thou who hast raised up prophets 
and apostles to be mighty forerunners 
in all the blessed privileges of a heavenly 
inheritance, draw us unto thyself by 
the samp uplifting power, that our feet 
stumble not on the dark mountains, 
nor falter in the valley of the shadow 
of death. Be thou our strength and 
stay in all times of trial, and keep us 
in fellowship with those who while on 
earth strove to make firm and sure thy 
righteous rule. So may we, having 
done thy will, be given part in that 
heavenly heritage wherein peace and 
love are made perfect and thou art 
all in all. Amen. 

C Then may he sung an anthem or a hymn, to he 
followed hy the sermon, a congregational hymn 
and the benediction 



A COMMUNION SERVICE 



€L The minister, standing at the communion table, 
may begin the service by reading one or more of 
the following sentences 

Blessed are they that do hunger and 
thirst after righteousness, for they shall 
be filled. Matthew v. 6. 

Whosoever will be chief among you, 
let him be your servant; even as the 
Son of Man came not to be ministered 
unto but to minister, and to give his life 
a ransom for many. Matthew xx. 27, 28. 

Greater love hath no man than this, 
that 'a man lay down his life for his 
friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do 
whatsoever I command you. Hence- 
forth I call you not servants; for the 
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; 
but I have called you friends, for all 
things that I have heard of my Father, 
I have made known unto you. John 
XV. 13, 14, 15. 

For ye have not received the spirit 
of bondage again to fear; but ye have 
received the spirit of children whereby 
we cry, Father. Romans viii. 15. 

If any man will come after me, let 
him deny himself and take up his cross 
daily, and follow me. For whosoever 
will save his life shall lose it; but who- 
soever will lose his life for my sake, the 
same shall save it. Luke ix. 23, 24. 

I am the bread of life : he that cometh 
to me shall never hunger; and he that 
belie veth on me shall never thirst. 
John vi. 35. 

Behold, I stand at the door, and 



knock: if any man hear my voice, and 
open the door, I will come in to him, 
and will sup with him, and he with me. 
Revelation iii. 20. 

€L Here may follow other 'portions of Scripture and 
an address. A hymn may then be sung, or, 
omitting the hymn, the service may proceed as 
follows^ 

€1. To be said by the minister 

Dearly beloved, we have received 
it, that the Master on the night before 
he died, as he supped with his disciples 
in an upper chamber, took bread and 
broke it before them, likening it unto 
his crucified body, and poured out wine 
as a visible parable of the spilling of 
his blood. As we repeat this act with 
reverence, may the spirit which kept 
him steadfast, though foreseeing death, 
be quickened in us. We remember 
also that Christians in all ages have par- 
taken of the bread and wine as a sign 
of their fellowship. May the symbol 
of love crown the parable of loyalty, 
and, in communion with Jesus Christ 
and all faithful servants of God, who 
have counted not their lives more dear 
than the triumphs of the spirit, let us 
seek the Lord in prayer that we may 
receive strength to overcome the trials 
and temptations of this world. 

€L Or this 

We are assembled here to meditate 
together on the life and death of Jesus 



36 



COMMUNION SERVICE 



Christ, that we may consecrate ourselves 
more earnestly to the service of God and 
of one another. In his acts of love 
and sympathy for the suffering, his 
compassion and help for the weak 
and sinful, he has left us an example 
that we should follow his steps. In 
communion with him, and with all 
who have been faithful servants of God, 
counting not their lives dear unto them- 
selves, we now offer our prayers to- 
gether to our Father in heaven. 
Let us pray. 

€L To he said by the minister 

O God, our heavenly Father, grant 
that this service may be profitable to 
all who partake of it, for the sanctifica- 
tion of body and soul, for fruitfulness 
in good works, and for the establishing 
of thy holy Church. 

We remember in this our communion, 
and beseech thee to bless, the multi- 
tudes of every name who are joined 
with us in one household of faith, our 
brethren and sisters in Christ through- 
out the world. 

We remember those who have fallen 
asleep in Christ, in the joyful hope of 
resurrection unto life eternal. O Lord, 
refresh their spirits with the light of 
thy countenance. 

We remember the fathers from the 
beginning of the world, and all who have 
wrought righteousness, even down to the 
present day. Refresh thou their spirits, 
and give them abundant entrance into 
the joy of our Lord. And grant unto 
us, O God, that we may have our part 
and lot with all thy saints. 

We remember all such as journey, 
and them that sojourn in strange lands. 
May it please thee to abide with them 



wheresoever they abide, and when they 
travel, to bring them in safety to their 
destined goal. 

We remember all who are sick and in 
distress, all who suffer in body or in 
mind, all who are in prison and in bonds : 
as bound with them, and as sufferers 
with them, we bear them in our hearts 
and pray for their relief. 

We remember our enemies, if there 
be any who have injured us, or cherish 
hatred against us. We beseech thee to 
turn their hearts, that we may live 
peaceably with all men. May we 
freely forgive all who have wronged us; 
and, if there be any whom we have 
wronged, may w^e make amends and 
seek forgiveness. 

We remember the whole family of 
man, beseeching thee that the spirits 
of all flesh may taste of thy grace, and 
that the ends of the earth may see the 
salvation of our God. Amen. 

€L To be said by the minister 

The Lord Jesus, the same night in 
which he was betrayed, took bread; 
and, when he had given thanks, he 
brake it, and said: This is my body 
which is broken for you. This do in 
remembrance of me. 

€L Then, as he delivers the bread to the people, the 
minister shall say 

Take this in remembrance of Christ. 

€1. When all have received the bread, the minister 
shall say 

After the same manner also he took 
the cup, when he had supped, saying: 
This cup is the new testament in my 
blood. This do ye, as often as ye drink 
it, in remembrance of me. 



COMMUNION SERVICE 



37 



€1. Then, as he delivers the cup to the people, the 
minister shall say 

Drink this in remembrance of Christ. 

€L When all have received the bread and nine, 
the minister shall say 

Let us pray. 

O Lord, we thank thee for the blessed 
fellowship of all faithful people who 
have loved and labored and suffered for 
others since the world began. Give us 
grace henceforth to continue in the 
fellowship of that glorious army which 
strives to conquer sin and evil, and to 
make this earth at last thy kingdom of 
love and peace. Amen, 

€1 Or this 

Grant unto us, Almighty God, that 
we, communing with one another and 
with thee, may feel our hearts burn 
within us; until all pure and just and 
holy things are lovely to us, and we find 
nothing to fear but that which is hate- 
ful in thine eyes. Let thy peace possess 
our souls, while we look to thy loving 



kindness and tender mercy to lift us 
above that which is low and mean; 
and, at last, give to the spirit within us 
a perfect victory, and bring us safe 
through death into life^ everlasting. 
Amen. 

Our Father who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil: For thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the 
glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

€1. Then may be sung a hymn, after which shall 
follow the benediction 

The peace of God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and 
minds through Christ Jesus; and the 
blessing of God, the Father Almighty, 
be among you, and remain with you 
always. Amen, 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS FOR 
OCCASIONAL USE 



FOR THE OPENING OF WORSHIP 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts 
are open, all desires known, and from 
whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the 
thoughts of our hearts by the inspira- 
tion of thy holy spirit, that we may 
perfectly love thee, and worthily mag- 
nify thy holy name. Amen. 

O God, giver of all temporal and spir- 
itual good: grant us thy grace, so to 
speak, so to know, and so to learn, that 
our minds may be enlightened, our fears 
banished, our faith confirmed, and our 
way directed unto eternal life. Amen, 

0 thou infinite One, who fillest the 
universe with thine unsearchable pres- 
ence, and hast thy dwelling-place in 
every heart that looks up in love and 
trust to thee: we come unto thee with 
our psalm of thanksgiving and our 
words of prayer, and would commune 
with thee in this hour of worship, that 
we may find thee nearer to us in our 
daily lives, and learn to live as in thy 
constant presence. May thy spirit rest 
upon us, and pray with us in our prayer, 
teaching us the things we should ask, 
and how to pray to thee as we ought; 
that we may worship thee, the infinite 
Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Amen. 



FOR THE OPENING OR CLOSE OF 
WORSHIP 

O God, who hast prepared for them 
that love thee such good things as pass 
man's understanding: pour into our 
hearts such love toward thee, that we, 
loving thee above all things, may ob- 
tain thy promises, which exceed all 
that we can desire. Amen. 

O God, from whom all good counsels, 
all holy desires, and all just works do 
proceed : we pray thee to enlighten our 
minds and sanctify our hearts by thy 
heavenly truth. What we know not, 
teach thou us; whatever is amiss in us, 
dispose us to reform; whatever in us is 
good, assist us to carry forward to per- 
fection, that we may live evermore to 
thy praise. Amen. 

O Almighty God, who alone canst order 
the unruly wills and affections of men: 
grant unto thy people that they may 
love the thing which thou commandest, 
and desire that which thou dost promise; 
that so, among the sundry and mani- 
fold changes of the world, our hearts 
may surely there be fixed where true 
joys are to be found. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast caused the 
light of eternal life to shine upon the 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



39 



world: we pray thee that our hearts 
may be so kindled with heavenly de- 
sires, and thy love so shed abroad in us, 
that we m-ay continually seek the things 
which are above; and, abiding in purity 
of heart and mind, may at length attain 
unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. 

FOR THE CLOSE OF WORSHIP 

Grant, 0 God, that the words we have 
heard this day with our outward ears, 
may, by thy grace, be so grafted in- 
wardly in our hearts, that they may 
bring forth in us the fruit of good living, 
to the honor and praise of thy holy name. 
Amen. 

Enlarge now our souls, 0 Lord, with 
a divine charity, that we may hope all 
things, believe all things, endure all 
things, and become messengers of thy 
healing mercy to the grievances and in- 
firmities of men. Amen. 

Increase in us, O Lord, a true knowl- 
edge of thy holy will, that we may de- 
vote ourselves to thy service in word 
and deed; and that, doing thy will with, 
cheerfulness and diligence, and bearing 
all our trials with patience, we may go 
on, through thy mercy, into the joy of 
everlasting life. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast caused the 
light of eternal life to shine upon the 
world: we beseech thee that our hearts 
may be so kindled with heavenly de- 
sires, and thy love so shed abroad in us 
by thy holy spirit, that we may con- 
tinually seek the things which are 
above; and, abiding in purity of heart 
and mind, may at length attain unto 
thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. 



' O Lord, who hast taught us that not 
the hearers of the word, but the doers, 
are justified in thy sight: let us go hence 
with an earnest and steadfast resolu- 
tion, with quickened zeal, and renewed 
devotion to thy service. If any true 
word of thine has been spoken to us, if 
any ray of thy heavenly light has shone 
upon us, if any righteous purpose has 
arisen within us, may we be found 
faithful to what we have received, that 
all our thoughts and actions may hence- 
forth be more in harmony with thy will. 
Let thy blessing be upon our uprising 
and our lying down, upon our going out 
and our coming in now and evermore. 
Amen. 

MORNING PRAYERS AND COLLECTS 

O Lord, our heavenly Father, al- 
mighty and everlasting God, who hast 
safely brought us to the beginning of 
this day: defend us in the same with 
thy mighty power; and grant that this 
day we fall into no sin, neither run into 
any kind of danger; but that all our 
doings, being ordered by thee, may be 
righteous in thy sight. Amen. 

O Lord, our God, who turnest into 
morning the shadows of night: grant 
that we may be children of the light and 
of the day. Let the sun of thy righteous- 
ness shine in our hearts. Enlighten our 
reason, make clear our conscience, and 
purify our affections. We give our- 
selves to thee this day, beseeching thee 
so to rule and govern us by thy spirit 
that faithless distrust and all evil 
thoughts may be driven from our minds; 
that we may walk with joy in the light 
of thy countenance and in the way of 
thy salvation. Amen. 



40 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



O Thou, who hast neither dawn nor 
evening, yet sendest us the alternate 
mercies of the darkness and the day: 
as thou Hftest the curtain of night 
from our abodes, take also the veil from 
all our hearts. Rise with thy morning 
upon our souls; quicken all our labor 
and our prayer; and, though all else 
decline, let the noontide of thy grace 
and peace remain. May we walk, while 
it is yet day, in the steps of him who 
with fewest hours jSnished thy divine 
work. And unto thee, w^hose we are 
and whom we serve, will we render 
praise now and for evermore. Amen. 

EVENING PRAYERS AND COLLECTS 

Almighty Father and keeper of our 
souls, who alone makes t us to dwell in 
safety: refresh with quiet sleep this 
night those who are w^earied with the 
labors of the day; and mercifully pro- 
tect from harm all who put their trust 
in thee, that, lying down in peace to 
take our rest, we may fear no evil, but 
confidently give ourselves into thy holy 
keeping. Amen. 

O God, the Father of lights, in whom 
is no variableness neither shadow of 
turning, from whom cometh down every 
good and perfect gift: help us so to live 
in thy peace that even the night shall 
be light about us. O thou who dost 
neither slumber nor sleep, and who giv- 
est thine angels charge over us to keep 
us in all our ways, send out thy light and 
thy truth, till all men shall see thy 
glory, and the whole earth be full of the 
knowledge of God. Amen. 

O God, who givest us these quiet 
hours of holy thought and prayer: we 



thank thee for the rest which thou hast 
granted us, and the peace which thou 
hast breathed into our souls this day. 
As the shadows of evening gather, we 
commend our spirits to thy care. And 
when the morning calls us forth again 
to serve thee, may thy love renew the 
blessing which we have sought to-day. 
So in new strength for toil, and a holier 
spirit of devotion to thy will, may 
we receive thy merciful answer to our 
prayers. Amen. 

O Lord God, the day is thine, the 
night also is thine. The darkness and 
the light are both alike to thee. Protect 
us through the hours of sleep, that our 
rest may refresh us in body and mind. 
Soothe our troubled thoughts, and 
breathe thy peace into our restless 
hearts. May thy invisible presence 
watch over us, and in the light of a new 
day may we rise to bless thee for thy 
sheltering care. Amen. 

We beseech thee. Lord, to behold us 
w^ith favor, folk of many families and 
nations gathered together in the peace 
of this roof, weak men and women 
subsisting under the covert of thy pa- 
tience. Be patient still; suffer us yet a 
while longer — with our broken pur- 
poses of good, with our idle endeavors 
against evil, suffer us a while longer to 
endure and (if it may be) help us to do 
better. Bless to us our extraordinary 
mercies; if the day come when these 
must be taken, brace us to play the man 
under aflfliction. Be with our friends, 
be with ourselves. Go with each of us 
to rest; if any awake, temper to them 
the dark hours of watching; and when 
the day returns, return to us, our sun 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



41 



and comforter, and call us up with 
morning faces and with morning hearts, 
eager to labor, eager to be happy if 
happiness shall be our portion, and if 
the day be marked for sorrow, strong 
to endure it. Amen. 

FOR THE NEW YEAR 

O thou who art from everlasting to 
everlasting, without beginning or end 
of days: replenish us with heavenly 
grace, at the beginning of this year, 
that we may be enabled to accept all 
its duties, to perform all its labors, to 
welcome all its mercies, to meet all its 
trials, and to advance through all it 
holds in store for us, with cheerful 
courage and a constant mind. O Lord, 
suffer us not to be separated from thee, 
either by joy or sorrow, or any sin or 
weakness of our own; but have com- 
passion upon us, and forgive us, and 
keep us in the strong confidence of thine 
eternal love. Amen. 

FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling- 
place in all generations. Unto thee do 
we lift up our souls. Thy mercy en- 
dureth for ever, and thy compassions 
fail not. As we keep holy time under 
the deepening shadows of the closing 
year, we thank thee for all that it hath 
brought to us of mercy and truth. Let 
not the experiences of our past days be 
lost upon us. Fix in our minds* every 
lesson of faith and duty which thou hast 
been teaching us. Take from our hearts 
every veil that would hide from us the 
shining of the heavenly light. Grant 
unto us, before the record of this year 
has been finished and sealed, a fresh 



consecration, a very honest and deep 
desire to live according to thy will. 
Amen. 

FOR PALM SUNDAY 

Almighty God, who knowest the 
weaknesses which we are slow to con- 
fess even to ourselves: take from us, 
we pray thee, the faithless mind that 
would shrink from the way by which 
thou leadest, and draw back from the 
harder paths of a dutiful life. As disci- 
ples of Christ may we steadfastly set 
our face to go to our Jerusalem, pre- 
pared to meet all the counsels of thy will, 
and to be obedient even unto death, 
seeking only for strength to glorify the 
cross thou layest upon us. Amen. 

FOR GOOD FRIDAY 

O God who hast showed us the way 
of blessedness : thou hast showed us also 
that the path of duty may lead to the 
cross, and the reward of faithfulness be 
a crown of thorns. Oh, give us grace to 
learn these harder lessons of pain and 
darkness and affliction. May we take 
up our cross and follow Christ in the 
strength of patience and the constancy 
of faith; and may we have such true 
fellowship with him in his sorrows that 
we may know the secret of his strength 
and peace, and see, even in our darkest 
hour of trial and anguish, the shining 
of thine own eternal light. Amen. 

Eternal Refuge of those who are dis- 
tressed : grant unto us that in all trouble 
of this our mortal life we may fiee to thy 
loving-kindness and tender mercy; that 
so, sheltering ourselves therein, the 
storms of life may pass over us, and 
not shake thy peace within us. Whatso- 



42 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



ever this life may bring us, grant that it 
may never take from us the faith that 
thou art our Father and that under- 
neath are the everlasting arms. Amen. 

FOR EASTER 

O Lord Most High, who art not the 
God of the dead but of the living: we 
unite this day in thankful joy in the re- 
membrance of the spirit's triumph over 
death. We bless thee that out of this 
dust and out of these mortal conditions 
thou art striving to raise immortal souls 
into a diviner fellowship, and to estab- 
lish them for ever in the heavenly dwell- 
ing-places. Amen. 

Great and gracious Presence, the Life 
of all that lives : thou sendest forth thy 
breath and we are created; thou openest 
thy hand and we are filled with good. To 
every faith bowed down and every love 
laid in the grave, thou bringest a new 
uplifting and a heavenly birth; and to 
ignorance and weakness and sin thou 
givest light and strength and the tender 
healing of forgiveness. Having re- 
ceived such ministry and comforting 
regard, help us to set our affections on 
things above, that so we may finally 
know the riches of that inheritance 
which thou didst manifest to him whom 
we remember this day with joy, and 
with him be deemed worthy of the crown 
of immortality. Amen. 

FOR WHITSUNDAY 

O God, who hast breathed thy holy 
spirit into the hearts of thy faithful 
servants, sending them forth in thy 
might to speak the word and to do the 
work which has been entrusted to them 



by thee: send down upon us all, we 
pray thee, that Spirit of holiness and 
wisdom and strength. Enlighten our 
minds that we may know what thou 
wouldst have us do; strengthen our 
hands that we may labor steadfastly to 
the end, and may faint not in thy ser- 
vice. Thou hast bestowed upon us a 
diversity of gifts; give us all the same 
spirit, that with one heart and one mind 
we may glorify thee, speaking the truth 
in love, and filling our lives with good 
deeds and faithful affections. In that 
spirit may we be strong to fight the 
good fight of faith, to conquer evil, and 
bear witness to the truth, and help to 
bring in the kingdom of righteousness 
and peace. Amen. 

FOR ALL SAINTS 

Our heavenly Father, we rejoice in* 
the blessed communion of all thy saints, 
wherein thou givest us also to have part. 
We remember before thee all who have 
departed this life in thy faith and love, 
and especially those most dear to us. 
We thank thee for our present fellow- 
ship with them, for our common hope, 
and for the promise of future joy. Oh, 
let the cloud of witnesses, the innum- 
erable company of those who have gone 
before and entered into rest, be to us 
for an example of godly life; and even 
now may we be refreshed with their 
joy; that so with patience we may run 
the rage that yet remains before us, and 
obtain an entrance into thy everlasting 
kingdom. Amen. 

FOR ALL souls' DAY 

Infinite Life, Power, Beauty: thine 
is the wisdom of the saint and seer, 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 43 



thine the light shining on the eyes of 
holy prophets, and thine the love that 
answereth and jfiUeth every prayerful 
spirit. We bless thee for all the holy 
souls that reveal thee; for all unknown 
and lowly people whose daily lives are 
offerings heroic, sweet, and beautiful 
to thee; and for thy voice that speaketh 
within. Oh, may we heed thy call, and 
rise into the liberty and joy of thy faith- 
ful children. Amen. 

FOR THANKSGIVING DAY 

O Lord God, Father of mercies, the 
Fountain of comfort and blessing, who 
fiUest heaven with thy glory, and earth 
with thy goodness: we offer thee most 
earnest and humble thanks for the 
gifts of nature and of grace, the support 
of every moment, and the comforts of 
every day. We beseech thee to fill our 
hearts with thy praise; that our thank- 
fulness to thee may be great as are 
our needs, and that thy grace may so 
strengthen our purposes that our lives 
may be a thank-offering to thee, unto 
whom we ascribe all honor and glory. 
Amen. 

Most merciful God, our Father in 
heaven, from whom cometh down every 
good and perfect gift: we give thee 
most hearty thanks for all thy blessings 
of nature and of grace; for the power of 
loving; for everything, whether joy or 
sorrow, whereby thou hast drawn us 
nearer to thyself; and for all that thou 
hast in keeping for them that love thee. 
Henceforth, even for ever, we would 
trust thee with our present and our 
future, our hopes and our fears, for our- 
selves and for all whom thou hast given 



us to love. And grant, we beseech 
thee, that, as thou dost continually 
pour out thy gifts upon us, we may ever, 
more and more, abound in thankful- 
ness and in all good works. Amen. 

Most gracious and loving Father: 
thou hast opened the hand of thy 
bounty, to fill our lives with blessing. 
Thou dost shelter us in the arms of 
thy mercy; thou providest for us per- 
petually, and lovest us with an un- 
failing love. As thou hast laid thine 
hand upon us in blessing, so fill our 
hearts with thankfulness, and tune our 
lips to praise. Grant that what thou 
hast sown in mercy may spring up in 
duty; and let thy grace so strengthen 
our good purposes that we may walk in 
the light of thy favor, and in the paths 
of thy commandments, now and for 
evermore. Amen. 

FOR CHRISTMAS DAY 

O God, from whom all holy desires, 
all good counsels, and all just works do 
proceed: sanctify unto us, we pray 
thee, the rich and holy gift of thine 
abounding love which is manifest to 
the world in this glad festival of univer- 
sal joy. Help us to attain unto the 
fulness of its blessing, that Christ may 
be born afresh to us this day, in deeper 
love and reverence for thee, in nobler 
sense of human brotherhood, in hunger 
and thirst after righteousness, in eager 
longing for the spirit of peace. May 
the passion of his faith and the patience 
of his love be shared by us this day in 
quickening consciousness of our eter- 
nal sonship to thee, his God and our 
God, his Father and our Father. Amen. 



44 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



Almighty God, whom once the nations 
worshipped under name of fear, but who 
hast revealed the glory of thy love in 
the face of Jesus Christ, and called us 
to live with thee as children: fill our 
hearts, as we remember his nativity, 
with the gladness of this great redemp- 
tion. We would join in the heavenly 
song of Glory to God in the highest, on 
earth peace, and good-will toward men. 
Breathe into our hearts the spirit of 
Jesus, that we may be led to thee in 
trust and obedience, and be sent out 
to live among men in brotherly love and 
sympathy. Every year, as this joyful 
festival comes round, may it find the 
world more and more in harmony with 
thy will. Amen. 

IN WINTER 

0 God, who rulest the changing sea- 
sons, and fulfillest, in all, thine own un- 
changing purposes: we bless thee that 
thou dost clothe all things around us 
with the beauty of winter, that thou 
sendest forth the treasures of the snow, 
and fillest the brief day with thy sun- 
shine, and all night long makest the 
heavens above us glorious with the 
countless stars. For all thou givest us 
thus to enjoy we praise thy goodness, 
and adore thine unsearchable wisdom 
and power. Amen. 

IN SPRINGTIME 

O thou, whose life-giving energy 
flows through all things: we rejoice in 
the glorious revealing of thyself in 
Nature, in the tokens of thy might and 
of thy love which we behold on every 
side. We thank thee for all the bounti- 
ful gifts and the gracious promise of 



this season of brightness and hope, 
when we trace again the workings of the 
unseen power which calls forth fresh 
life and growth, and renews the face of 
the earth. And while we bless thee for 
the beauty which thou sheddest around 
our path, we pray that it may find some 
reflection in our own hearts and lives. 
May thy creative spirit freshen and 
renew our souls, and may the precious 
seed of thy promises • fall into good 
ground, where it may spring up and bear 
fruit according to the measure which 
thou hast appointed. Amen. 

IN SUMMER 

O thou, from whom cometh all the 
gladness and brightness of life: we 
praise thee for the riches of thy bounty 
which thou pourest out in these days of 
summer. Thou fillest the heavens with 
radiance, and causest the earth to re- 
joice in the abundance of thy gifts. 
Thou preparest the coming harvest; 
and thou makest our hearts glad with 
the wonder of thy creation. For all the 
greatness and glory of Nature we bless 
thee, and we would join with grateful 
hearts in the song of praise which all the 
earth raises to thee. Amen. 

IN AUTUMN 

We praise thee, O thou Source of all 
life and strength, for the bountiful pro- 
vision which thou makest for the wants 
of thy children. We would bring thee 
now our joyful thanksgiving for the har- 
vest of the fields, and all the increase 
that the fertile earth has yielded. Thou 
hast ordered the course of the changing 
seasons, and appointed a time for sowing 
and a time for reaping; and while men 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



45 



have toiled, or watched, or rested from 
their work, thy providence has never 
failed, and thou hast prepared for them 
the reward of their labors. May we 
enjoy the gifts of thy bounty in wisdom, 
temperance, and thankfulness, ever 
mindful of the love which bestowed 
them. Let the remembrance of thy 
fatherly goodness quicken in us broth- 
erly goodwill, and make us prompt to 
lighten any burdens of poverty and dis- 
tress. So may we show forth the power 
of the spirit which was in Christ, and 
become less unworthy to receive thine 
unnumbered gifts of blessing. Amen. 

FOR THE NATION 

0 thou who fashionest the hearts of 
men : grant to us, we beseech thee, and 
to the people of this land, the spirit of 
obedience to thy commandments, that, 
walking as in thy presence, we may, 
under thy mighty guidance, be kept 
from lawlessness and violence, from dis- 
cord and confusion and from every evil 
way. Defend our liberties, preserve our 
unity, and save us from all injustice, 
that so we may enjoy a place of honor 
among the nations and be an example of 
the blessedness which comes to them 
that keep thy laws and dwell together 
in righteousness and peace. Amen. 

Almighty God, who in the former 
time didst lead our fathers forth into a 
large place, and sent them to sow be- 
side many waters: give thy grace, we 
pray thee, to us, their children, that we 
may always approve ourselves a people 
mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy 
will. Bless our land with honorable 
industry and generous public spirit. 



Save us from violence, discord, and con- 
fusion. Fashion into one happy people 
the multitude brought hither out of 
many kindreds and tongues. Endue 
with the spirit of wisdom those whom 
we intrust with the authority of govern- 
ance. In the time of our prosperity 
restrain our pride and temper our self- 
confidence with thankfulness, and in 
the days of trouble suffer not our trust 
in thee to fail. Amen. 

FOR NATIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS 

Lord of all, whose balance trieth the 
nations, to lift up or to cast down: thou 
hast planted us, as a people, and laid 
upon us a mighty trust. Never through 
vain conceit may we be blind to the 
unchanging conditions of thy blessing. 
The world and its fulness are thine: 
our portion thereof may we hold, not 
in wanton self-will, but reverently, as 
of thee; making it the stronghold of 
right, the refuge of the oppressed, and 
the moderator of lawless ambition. 
Make all who speak or act for this nation 
true organs of thine equity, that through 
their wisdom and faithfulness thou 
may est be our lawgiver and judge. 
And let it be that, as with the people 
so with the chiefs, as with the servant so 
with the master, as with the buyer so 
with the seller, all may know thee as 
weighing the path of the just; that 
righteousness may be the girdle of our 
power. Amen. 

O Lord, our heavenly Father, Lord of 
lords and King of kings: most heartily 
we beseech thee to look with favor upon 
our beloved country. So replenish this 
people with the grace of thy holy spirit 



46 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



that they may always incline to thy will 
and walk in thy way. Endue them plen- 
teously with heavenly gifts. By escap- 
ing from the bondage of sin may they 
become free indeed. By brotherly love 
and the practice of righteousness may 
they become truly exalted among the 
nations, and be known as a people whose 
God is the Lord. And may the bless- 
ings of peace, good order, and national 
union more and more abound. Amen. 

FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP 

O Lord, our God, who rulest over the 
nations and in whose hand are the des- 
tinies of the people: we earnestly pray 
thee, at this time, to so direct us that 
we may choose and establish in au- 
thority over us the men whom thou ap- 
provest and who will serve the State 
with disinterested zeal and unfailing 
courage. Suffer not thy people to be 
embittered against each other in parti- 
san strife. O Lord, who lovest truth, 
deliver us from the false and slanderous 
tongue, from the selfish designs of evil 
men, from bribery, corruption, and an 
inordinate love of power. Dispose thy 
people to sincerity, and grant that they 
may unitedly seek good government and 
just laws, and a righteous administra- 
tion of the same, to the praise of thy 
great name. Amen. 

FOR THE LEGISLATURE 

O thou who rulest in equity and de- 
clares t righteous judgment: send down 
upon the Legislature of this State, now 
lawfully convened, the spirit of concord, 
purity, and justice, that all false counsels 
and evil influences may be absent from 
the assembly, and that the servants of 



the people may be directed in wisdom 
and integrity, according to thy laws. 
So guide and prosper with thy blessing 
whatsoever may be devised and en- 
acted, that it may redound to the honor 
and welfare of this Commonwealth, to 
the peace and prosperity of the United 
States, and to the glory of thy name. 
Amen. 

FOR THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT 

O God, our Father, in whom are calm- 
ness and peace: reconcile the dissen- 
sions which divide us from one another, 
and bring us into a unity of love which 
may bear some likeness to thy blessed 
nature: that we may be spiritually one, 
as well in ourselves as with each other, 
through that peace of thine which mak- 
eth all things peaceful, and through the 
grace, mercy, and tenderness wherewith 
thou, O Lord, art our Father, for ever. 
Amen. 

Our Father in heaven take away from 
us, we pray thee, all hatred and prejudice, 
and whatsoever else may hinder us from 
godly union and concord; that, as there 
is but one body, and one spirit, and one 
hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, 
one baptism, one God and Father of us 
all, so we may be all of one heart and 
of one soul, united in one holy bond of 
truth and peace, of faith and charity, 
and may with one mind and one mouth 
glorify thee. Amen. 

FOR GRACE TO SERVE THE LORD WITH 
GLADNESS 

O Lord, renew our spirits and draw 
our hearts unto thyself, that our work 
may not be to us a burden, but a delight. 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 47 



Grant unto us the mighty love that will 
sweeten all our obedience. Suf¥er us 
not to serve thee with the spirit of bond- 
age as slaves, but to walk before thee 
with the cheerfulness and gladness of 
children, delighting ourselves in thee 
and rejoicing in thy work. Amen. 

FOR GRACE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN 
LOVE 

O God, whose kingdom cometh in 
spirit and in power, and who sendest 
thy word like the dew that falleth 
silently upon the earth: grant that all 
who contend for the faith which thou 
hast given them may never injure it by 
: clamor and impatience, but, speaking 
the truth in love, may so present it that 
it may be loved, and that men may see in 
it thy goodness and thy beauty. Amen. 

FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

Almighty God, our light in darkness, 
our strength in weakness, our hope in 
sinfulness, and our eternal home: be 
unto us merciful, long-suffering, and 
patient; that we, who are slow of 
growth, may hope to come at last to thy 
likeness, and, being upheld by thee, may 
by thy mercy go from strength to 
strength, until, having safely passed 
through the joy and duty of this earthly 
life, we in the fulness of thy mercy may 
come into the land of the eternal peace. 
Amen. 

O God, eternal and unchangeable: 
we bless thee that, amid all the shad- 
ows that fall on our earthly way, the 
doubts that perplex us, the fears that 
hinder us, the dimness of our spiritual 
vision, the partial measure of our ap- 
proach to thee, we have one steadfast 



light still shining on our path, even the 
light of thine infinite love. If thou 
watchest over us, we are safe; if thou 
guidest us, we shall not lose the way; 
if thou art teaching us, we cannot learn 
amiss. Breathe into our life thy spirit 
of holiness and love and peace. Awaken 
in us the high desire and devout affec- 
tion that will bring us into thy nearer 
presence. Lift us above the doubts and 
cares of our unfaithful hearts. Thus 
may we find the true rest for our souls, 
the true strength of our life, and joy 
that abides for ever. Amen. 

FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL 

O God, who art the great deep of eter- 
nal peace and the fountain of blessings, 
who ever sendest peace to those that 
are ready to receive it : open to us this 
day the sea of thy love, and water us 
with plenteous streams from the riches 
of thy grace. Make us children of 
quietness and heirs of peace. Enkindle 
in us the fire of thy love; strengthen 
our weakness by thy power; bind us 
closely to thee and to each other in one 
firm bond of unity. Amen. 

FOR SPIRITUAL FRUITFULNESS 

Almighty God, we pray thee that, as 
the sun shines upon this fair world, so 
thy light may shine upon our spirits, 
upon our conscience, upon our love; that 
we may yield unto thee the fruits thou 
dost delight in, even the fruits of a ser- 
viceable, peaceable, honorable life. Amen. 

FOR THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE AND 
PRAISE 

Almighty God, the Giver of all good: 
we give thee thanks for thy faithful ser- 



48 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



vants who, having witnessed in their 
lives the power of thy help, have left 
the light of their example to shine before 
thy people upon earth. We thank thee 
for the life which we have from thee, 
and for the work to which thou hast ap- 
pointed us; for whatever of good thou 
hast enabled us to win, and for the hope 
that leads us on toward eternal life. 
Give us, we pray, a heartfelt gratitude for 
these and all thy mercies, and increase 
in us the manifold gifts of thy spirit; 
that through thy counsel and might 
we may do those works which glorify 
thee, our Father in heaven. Amen. 

FOR HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT 

O God, most holy, Preserver and Gov- 
ernor of all thy creatures and all their 
actions: keep us this day in health of 
body and soundness of mind, in purity 
of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in 
contentment with our lot and charity 
with our neighbor; and further all our 
lawful undertakings with thy blessing. 
In our labors strengthen us; in our 
pleasures purify us; in our difficulties 
direct us; in our perils defend us; in 
our troubles comfort us; and supply all 
our needs, according to the riches of thy 
grace. Amen. 

FOR PROTECTION AND DEFENCE 

O God, who art the author of peace 
and lover of concord, in knowledge of 
whom standeth our eternal life, whose 
service is perfect freedom: grant us, 
thy servants, we humbly beseech thee, 
that peace which the world can neither 
give nor take away; that we, who in all 
our dangers rely on thy goodness, may, 
under thy fatherly protection, be de- 



fended against all adversities, and ever- 
more rejoice in thy blessed service. 
Amen. 

FOR COMFORT AND FAITH 

O thou whose name is Love and ; 
whose compassions fail not : let thy mer- 
ciful kindness be for our comfort when 
burdens are heavy and sorrow is near, 
— when our hearts fail us for the 
things that are coming to pass, and we 
fear as we enter into the cloud. When 
our dear ones die out of our sight, still 
grant to us a large and happy faith, and 
in our own last hour lift thou up the 
light of thy countenance upon us. Thou 
art the strength of those who put their 
trust in thee. Send out thy light and 
thy truth, to shine pure and strong over 
death and the grave. Amen. 

FOR BROTHERLY LOVE 

O God of Love, who hast given us a 
new commandment, that we should love 
one another, even as thou dost love us, 
the unworthy and the wandering: we 
pray thee. Lord, give to us, thy ser- 
vants, a mind forgetful of past ill-will, a 
pure conscience, and sincere thoughts, I 
and a heart to love our brethren. Amen. 

FOR STRANGERS 

O Lord, who lovest the stranger: de- J 

fend and nourish, we entreat thee, all | 

sojourners in strange lands and poor j 

helpless persons, that they may glorify j 

thee out of grateful hearts; and to such j 

men as are tyrannical and oppressive j 

give searchings of spirit and amendment j 

of ways, that thou mayest show mercy | 

on them also. Amen. 1 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



49 



FOR THOSE IN TROUBLE 

Almighty and everlasting God, the 
(comfort of the sad, the strength of all 
i who suffer : let the prayers of those who 
cry out of any tribulation come unto 
fl thee, and may they rejoice to find that 
! thy mercy is present with them in their 
sorrows. Let all who are beset by fears, 
troubled by poverty, worn by illness, all 
who are wronged and oppressed, the 
lonely, the suffering, the weary and 
heavy-laden, be sustained by thy might, 
consoled by thy tenderness, and cher- 
ished by thy fatherly compassion. Amen. 

FOR THOSE IN ADVERSITY 

! Most gracious God, whose tender mer- 
cies are over all thy works, and whose 

I compassions fail not : we commend to 

j thy pitifulness and protection all in this 
land who are in sorrow, need, or any 
other adversity. Especially we beseech 
thee to remember such as are destitute, 

i homeless, or forgotten of their fellow- 
men. Lift up those that be cast down, 
mightily befriend innocent sufferers, 
and sanctify to them the endurance of 
their wrongs. Cheer with hope all dis- 
couraged and unhappy people, and by 

! thy heavenly grace preserve from falling 
those who are tempted into sin. Though 
they be troubled on every side, suffer 
them not to be distressed; though they 
be perplexed, save them from despair, 
and finally bring them unto that eternal 
home, where joy and gladness shall be 
their portion and where sorrow and 
sighing shall flee away. Amen. 

FOR THOSE IN DISTRESS 

Hear us, O Lord God Almighty, as we 
together pray for our brethren who are 



overborne with trouble and worn with 
many cares. Have mercy upon those 
who have brought their anxieties with 
them into this house of prayer, and 
whose spirits are heavy and distressed 
even in the hour of praise; comfort 
them by thy grace and lift upon them 
the light of thy countenance. 
Strengthen, we pray thee, those who 
try to bear the burdens of their neigh- 
bors, and those who strive to enlighten 
men with the truth that maketh free. 
Uphold and inspire those who consecrate 
their powers to hold back the tides of 
evil in this our land, and all who 
are trying to help the world towards 
peace and purity. And we ask thy 
blessing for those who have no power 
to help, but can only wait and hope 
and pray. Have compassion upon 
those whose souls are dumb under the 
shadow of affliction, those whom thou 
hast newly baptized into the sanctity of 
suffering. Our Father, thou hast or- 
dained that our mortal life should be a 
struggle; keep us brave and loyal, de- 
liver us from evil, cleanse us by thy 
spirit, and renew us in thy grace, and 
afterward receive us into thy kingdom. 
Amen. 

FOR THE BEREAVED 

Almighty God, in whose comforting 
and keeping there is shelter from the 
storm, and in whose mercy and pity 
there is shadow from the heat of life: 
hear now our prayers, we pray thee, for 
those who are mourning for their dead. 
Send thy pity to lighten their darkness, 
and the sense of thy presence and sym- 
pathy to fill their loneliness. Touch 
their wounds with healing, and help 



50 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



them to be still. Give them strength 
to do and to bear thy perfect will, and 
to take up the duties of their daily life 
more bravely for the sake of the be- 
loved who live no longer here on earth. 
Soon may the heavens open where 
they are most darkened now, and the 
angels descend on the silent home and 
its saddened hearts. Help us more 
and more to feel and realize that in thy 
holy care are all thy children, whether 
here or there; that the Eternal God is 
our refuge and that underneath are the 
everlasting arms. Amen. 

O God, our heavenly Father, unto 
whom we may come in every hour of 
darkness and sorrow, to pour out our 
griefs to thee, and to rest our troubled 
hearts under the shelter of thy compas- 
sion : hear now our prayer for those who 
are bowed down in mourning. Shine 
upon their darkness, we pray thee, and 
enfold their loneliness in thy comforting 
presence. Thou hast given us the 
blessed assurance that the sorrows of 
death are but for a little while, and that 
the grave is only as a gate of entrance 
to another world of life. We pray thee, 
O our Father, to grant us in our hour of 
bereavement the joy and consolation 
of that hope; that, when we part from 
those whom thou callest away, we may 
say in our hearts that we shall meet 
again. May we who remain behind a 
little longer keep ever clear and bright 
the memory of their lives. May we be 
blest, even now, by a true communion 
of spirit with the unseen world, and live 
as members of one family, one company 
of friends and brethren, on earth and in 
heaven. Amen. 



FOR THE SPIRIT OF HELPFULNESS 

O thou who art Love and dwellest in 
love : teach us how to be thine own fel- 
low-workers. Never may we shut our 
hearts against the sorrows of even the 
unthankful and the evil. Make us 
messengers of thy tender mercy, to 
soothe the wretched, to lift the penitent, 
to seek and to save the lost; till all shall 
at length know themselves thy children, 
and be one with each other and with 
thee. Amen. 

FOR ALL WHO ARE ENGAGED IN WORKS 
OF MERCY 

O God, whose love, shed abroad in 
the hearts of thy children, is mighty to 
overcome evil, and to redeem and bless 
the world : we give thanks unto thee for 
all who are engaged in works of mercy 
and compassion. Grant the aid of thy 
counsel, and the support of thy strength, 
to those who teach the ignorant, who 
minister to the sick, who visit the 
fatherless and widows, who plead the 
cause of the weak and the oppressed. 
Be with those who go forth to reclaim 
the sinful, to lift up the degraded, to 
cheer and sustain the disheartened. 
Make us to have our part, however 
humble, in these endeavors. Assure us 
that whatsoever we do for the healing 
and enlightenment and encouragement 
of the least of these our brethren, we 
do as unto thee. By the faithfulness 
of those whom thou callest thus to 
labor for thee, may all who wander, 
all who despair, and all who suffer be 
comforted and upbuilt, and brought 
into richer and more abundant life. 
Amen. 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



51 



FOR MINISTERS AND CONGREGATIONS 

1| Almighty God, from whom cometh 
. every good and perfect gift: send down 
f on all ministers of the gospel, and on 
; all congregations committed to their 
5 charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace; 
) and, that they may truly please thee, 
^ pour upon them the continual dew of 
1 :thy blessing. Amen. 

' FOR THE SUCCESSION OF PROPHETS 

li Almighty God, Fountain of Life and 
Light, who didst raise up prophets in 
ancient times to warn and inspire, and 
' 1 didst send abroad into the world apos- 
j ties, evangelists, pastors, and teachers: 
I we pray thee to raise up in these days an 
, increasing number of wise and faithful 
, men, filled with the old prophetic zeal, 
, by whose labors thy Church may be 
, greatly blessed, and thy kingdom come, 
, and thy will be done on earth as it is in 
heaven. Amen. 

|| A PRAYER FOR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE 

I O Lord, our heavenly Father, who 
givest knowledge to all that ask thee: 
grant thy blessing, we pray thee, to all 
who serve thee here, whether as teachers 
or learners, and help us in the work 
which thou hast given us to do. Enable 
us to labor diligently and faithfully, in 
singleness of heart, remembering that 
in thy fear is the beginning of wisdom. 
May we set thy holy will ever before us, 
and do that which is well-pleasing in 
thy sight, that so our work here may 
count for good to others, both now and 
in the days to come. Open our eyes to 
know thy marvellous works, to search 
our own spirits, and to understand the 
wondrous things of thy law. Pour into 



our hearts the excellent gifts of friend- 
ship and brotherly love, and grant that 
in truth and purity we may glorify thee, 
the Father of lights. Amen. 

FOR ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN 

O God, the Creator and Preserver of 
all mankind: we humbly beseech thee 
for all sorts and conditions of men; 
that thou wouldst be pleased to make 
thy ways known to them, thy saving 
health unto all nations. More especially 
we pray for thy holy Church universal; 
that it may be so guided and governed 
by thy good spirit, that all who profess 
and call themselves Christians may be 
led into the way of truth, and hold the 
faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of 
peace, and in righteousness of life. 
Finally we commend to thy fatherly 
goodness all who are in any ways 
afflicted in mind, body, or estate; that 
it may please thee to comfort and re- 
lieve them, according to their several 
necessities, giving them patience under 
their sufferings, and a happy issue out 
of all their afflictions. Amen. 

SHORT COLLECTS FOR GENERAL USE 

O God, who art Love, grant to thy 
children to bear one another's burdens in 
perfect good-will, that thy peace which 
passeth understanding may keep our 
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 
Amen. 

O God, who hast ordained that what- 
ever is to be desired should be sought 
by labor, and who, by thy blessing, 
bringest honest labor to good effect: 
look with favor upon our endeavors. 
Grant us, O Lord, to design only what is 



52 



PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS 



lawful and right; and afford us calmness 
of mind and steadiness of purpose, that 
we may do thy will in this life and in 
the life to come. Amen. 

Almighty Father, whose grace doth 
ever keep, and whose love can never 
fail us: we would commit ourselves 
and our ways unto thee in humble 
prayer. May we be glad in the Lord, 
and in the beauty of holiness worship 
thee. May we invite thy mercies 
through our charities, and thy great 
love through our pure and unselfish 
affections. Make us wise to know thee 
and faithful to obey thee. Amen. 

O God, the high and Holy One, who 
inhabitest Eternity: we pray thee so to 
enlighten and strengthen us that we 
may make thee our refuge and trust, 
our confidence and joy. Let us rest our 
hearts and our hopes upon thee through 
all the scenes and trials of this our short 



and uncertain life; that when heaven 
and earth shall pass away we may be 
found in thine eternal dwelling-place, 
rendering to thee all honor and glory 
and praise. Amen. 

We humbly pray thee, O Father in 
heaven, to guide us through the darkness 
of this world, to guard us from its perils, 
to hold us up and strengthen us when 
we grow weary in our mortal way, and 
to lead us by thy chosen path^ through 
time .and through death to our eternal 
home in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. 

O Thou who art infinite in knowledge 
and in wisdom: though thy ways are 
past our finding out, we are sure that 
they are just and right. We would 
therefore submit our desires to thy will, 
our actions to thy government, all our 
concerns to thy disposal; and now, and at 
all times, we would offer up our prayers 
to thee in humility and trust. Amen. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



FIRST SELECTION 

Psalm I 

BLESSED is the man that walketh not 
in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand- 
eth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in 
the seat of the scornful. 

But his delight is in the law of the 
Lord; and in his law doth he meditate 
day and night. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by 
the rivers of water, that bringeth forth 
his fruit in his season; his leaf also 
shall not wither; and whatsoever he 
doeth shall prosper. 

The ungodly are not so : but are 
like the chaff which the wind driveth 
away. 

Therefore the ungodly shall not 
stand in the judgment, nor sinners in 
the congregation of the righteous. 

For the Lord knoweth the way of the 
righteous: but the way of the ungodly 
shall perish. 

Psalm IV 

HEAR me when I call, O God of my 
righteousness: thou hast enlarged me 
when I was in distress; have mercy upon 
me, and hear my prayer. 

The Lord will hear when I call unto 
him. 

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune 



with your own heart upon your bed, and 
be still. 

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, 
and put your trust in the Lord. 

There be many that say, Who will 
shew us any good.?^ Lord, lift thou up 
the light of thy countenance upon us. 

I will both lay me down in peace, 
and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest 
me dwell in safety. 

Psalm V 

GIVE ear to my words, O Lord; con- 
sider my meditation. 

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, 
my King, and my God: for unto thee 
will I pray. 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morn- 
ing, O Lord; in the morning will I 
direct my prayer unto thee, and will 
look up. 

For thou art not a God that hath 
pleasure in wickedness: neither shall 
evil dwell with thee. 

But as for me, I will come into thy 
house in the multitude of thy mercy. 

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness; 
make thy way straight before my face. 

Let all those that put their trust in 
thee rejoice: let them ever shout for 
joy, because thou defendest them: let 
them also that love thy name be joy- 
ful in thee. 



[53] 



54 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



For thou, Lord, wilt bless the right- 
eous; with favor wilt thou compass him 
as with a shield. 

SECOND SELECTION 

Psalm VIII 

0 LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy 
name in all the earth ! who hast set thy 
glory above the heavens. 

Out of the mouth of babes and suck- 
lings hast thou ordained strength, that 
thou mightest still the enemy and the 
avenger. 

When I consider thy heavens, the 
work of thy fingers; the moon and the 
stars, w^hich thou hast ordained; 

What is man that thou art mindful of 
him? and the son of man that thou 
visitest him? 

For thou hast made him a little lower 
than the angels, and hast crowned him 
with glory and honor. 

Thou madest him to have dominion 
over the works of thy hands; thou hast 
put all things under his feet: 

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the 
beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, 
and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever 
passeth through the paths of the seas. 

0 Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy 
name in all the earth! 

Psalm IX 

1 WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my 
whole heart; I will shew forth all thy 
marvellous works. 

1 will be glad and rejoice in thee: I 
will sing praise to thy name, O thou 
Most High. 

The Lord shall endure for ever: he 
hath prepared his throne for judgment. 



And he shall judge the world in 
righteousness, he shall minister judg- 
ment to the people in uprightness. ! 

The Lord also will be a refuge for the [ 
oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. ; 

And they that know thy name will 
put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, 
hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

Psalm XV 

LORD, who shall abide in thy taber- 
nacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 

He that walketh uprightly, andS 
worketh righteousness, and speakethi 
the truth in his heart. 

He that backbiteth not with his 
tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor , 
t aketh up a reproach against his neighbor, i 

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and 
changeth not. He that doeth these 
things shall never be moved. 

Psalm XVI | 

PRESERVE me, O God: for in thee do 
I put my trust. 

The Lord is the portion of mine in-i 
heritance and of my cup: thou main-^ 
tainest my lot. 

The lines are fallen unto me in 
pleasant places: yea, I have a goodly 
heritage. 

I will bless tlie Lord, who hath given 
me counsel. I have set the Lord always 
before me: because he is at my right 
hand, I shall not be moved. 

For thou wilt not leave my soul in the 
grave, neither wilt thou suffer thine 
holy one to see corruption. 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: J 
in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy 
right hand there are pleasures for 
evermore. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



55 



THIRD SELECTION 

I Psalm XVII 

HEAR the right, O Lord, attend unto 

my cry; give ear unto my prayer, that 

goeth not out of feigned Hps. 
' Hold up my goings in thy paths, that 

my footsteps sUp not. 

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt 

hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto 
- me, and hear my speech. 
? Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, 
1 O thou that savest by thy right hand 
J them which put their trust in thee. 

Keep me as the apple of the eye; 
s hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 
r As for me, I will behold thy face in 

righteousness : I shall be satisfied, when 
J I awake, with thy likeness, 
e 

Psalm XVIII 

I WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength. 
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, 
" and my deliverer; my God, my strength, 

in whom I will trust. 
^' I will call upon the Lord, who is 
worthy to be praised: 

The sorrows of death compassed me, 
■1 and the floods of ungodly men made me 
y afraid. 

I The sorrows of hell compassed me 
■1 about: the snares of death prevented 
s me. 

it In my distress I called upon the Lord, 
and cried unto my God: he heard my 

6 voice, and my cry came before him. 

6 j He sent from above, he took me, he 
drew me out of many waters. 

- 1 He brought me forth also into a large 

/ place; he delivered me, because he de- 

T lighted in me. 
j For all his judgments were before me, 



and I did not put away his statutes 
from me. 

Therefore hath the Lord recompensed 
me according to my righteousness, ac- 
cording to the cleanness of my hands in 
his sight. 

With the merciful thou wilt shew thy- 
self merciful; with an upright man thou 
wilt shew thyself upright; with the 
pure thou wilt shew thyself pure. 

For thou wilt light my candle: the 
Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 

As for God, his way is perfect: the 
word of the Lord is tried: he is a buck- 
ler to all those that trust in him. 

For who is God save the Lord? or 
who is a rock save our God? 

It is God that girdeth me with 
strength, and maketh my way perfect. 

Thou hast also given me the shield 
of thy salvation: and thy right hand 
hath holden me up, and thy gentleness 
hath made me great. 

The Lord liveth; and blessed be my 
rock; and let the God of my salvation 
be exalted. 

Therefore will I give thanks unto 
thee, O Lord, and sing praises unto thy 
name. 

FOURTH SELECTION 

Psalm XIX 

THE heavens declare the glory of God; 
and the firmament sheweth his handy- 
work. 

Day unto day uttereth speech, and 
night unto night sheweth knowledge. 

There is no speech nor language 
where their voice is not heard. 

Their line is gone out through all the 
earth, and their words to the end of the 
world. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



In them hath he set a tabernacle for 
the sun, which is as a bridegroom com- 
ing out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as 
a strong man to run a race. 

His going forth is from the end of the 
heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of 
it: and there is nothing hid from the 
heat thereof. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, con- 
verting the soul: the testimony of the 
Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 

The statutes of the Lord are right, re- 
joicing the heart: the commandment of 
the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring 
for ever: the judgments of the Lord are 
true and righteous altogether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, 
yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also 
than honey and the honeycomb. 

Moreover by them is thy servant 
w^arned: and in keeping of them there 
is great reward. 

Who can understand his errors .^^ 
cleanse thou me from secret faults. 

Keep back thy servant also from pre- 
sumptuous sins; let them not have do- 
minion over me : then shall I be upright, 
and I shall be innocent from the great 
transgression. 

Let the words of my mouth, and the 
meditation of my heart, be acceptable 
in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and 
my redeemer. 

Psalm XXIII 

THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall not 
want. He maketh me to lie down in 
green pastures : he leadeth me beside the 
still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me 
in the paths of righteousness for his 
name's sake. 



Yea, though I walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, I will fear no 
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and 
thy staff they comfort me. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- 
low me all the days of my life : and I will 
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

Psalm XXIV 

THE earth is the Lord's, and the ful- 
ness thereof; the world, and they that 
dwell therein. 

For he hath founded it upon the seas, 
and established it upon the floods. 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the 
Lord? or who shall stand in his holy 
place? 

He that hath clean hands, and a pure 
heart; 

Who hath not lifted up his soul unto 
vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 

He shall receive the blessing from the 
Lord, and righteousness from the God 
of his salvation. 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and 
be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; 
and the King of glory shall come in. 

Who is this King of glory? The Lord 
strong and mighty. The Lord mighty 
in battle. 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even 
lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and 
the King of glory shall come in. 

Who is this King of glory? The Lord 
of hosts, he is the King of glory. 

FIFTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXV 

UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my 
soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me 
not be ashamed. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



57 



Yea, let none that wait on thee be 
ashamed: let them be ashamed which 
transgress without cause. 

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach 
me thy paths. 

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; 
for thou art the God of my salvation; 
on thee do I wait all the day. 

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mer- 
cies and thy loving-kindnesses; for they 
have been ever of old. 

Remember not the sins of my youth, 
nor my transgressions: according to 
thy mercy remember thou me for thy 
goodness' sake, O Lord. 

Good and upright is the Lord : there- 
fore will he teach sinners in the way. 

The meek will he guide in judgment: 
and the meek will he teach his way. 

All the paths of the Lord are mercy 
and truth unto such as keep his cove- 
nant and his testimonies. 

For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon 
mine iniquity; for it is great. 

What man is he that feareth the Lord? 
him shall he teach in the way that he 
shall choose. 

His soul shall dwell at ease; and his 
seed shall inherit the earth. 

The secret of the Lord is with them 
that fear him; and he will shew them 
his covenant. 

Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord; 
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy 
upon me; for I am desolate and 
afflicted. 

The troubles of my heart are enlarged : 
O, bring thou me out of my distresses. 

Look upon mine affliction and my 
pain; and forgive all my sins. 

O keep my soul, and deliver me: let 



me not be ashamed; for I put my trust 
in thee. 

Psalm XXVI 

JUDGE me, O Lord; for I have walked 
in mine integrity : I have trusted 
also in the Lord; therefore I shall not 
slide. 

Examine me, O Lord, and prove 
me; for thy loving-kindness is before 
mine eyes: and I have walked in thy 
truth. 

I will wash mine hands in innocency: 
so will I compass thine altar, O Lord: 

That I may publish with the voice of 
thanksgiving, and tell of all thy won- 
drous works. 

Lord, I have loved the habitation of 
thy house, and the place where thine 
honor dwelleth. 

Gather not my soul with sinners, in 
whose hands is mischief, and their right 
hand is full of bribes. 

But as for me, I will walk in mine in- 
tegrity: redeem me, and be merciful 
unto me. 

My foot standeth in an even place: in 
the congregation will I bless the Lord. 

SIXTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXVII 

THE Lord is my light and my salva- 
tion; whom shall I fear^ the Lord is 
the strength of my life; of whom shall 
I be afraid? 

Though a host should encamp against 
me, my heart shall not fear : though war 
should rise against me, in this will I be 
confident. 

One thing have I desired of the Lord, 
that will I seek after: that I may dwell 



58 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



in the house of the Lord all the days of 
my life, to behold the beauty of the 
Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 

For in the time of trouble he shall 
hide me in his pavilion: in the secret 
of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he 
shall set me up upon a rock. 

Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle 
sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will 
sing praises unto the Lord. 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my 
voice: have mercy also upon me, and 
answer me. 

When thou saidst. Seek ye my face; 
my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, 
will I seek. 

Hide not thy face far from me; thou 
hast been my help; leave me not, 
neither forsake me, O God of my sal- 
vation. 

When my father and my mother for- 
sake me, then the Lord will take me up. 

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead 
me in a plain path. 

I had fainted, unless I had believed 
to see the goodness of the Lord in the 
land of the living. 

Wait on the Lord: be of good cour- 
age, and he shall strengthen thine heart: 
wait, I say, on the Lord. 

Psalm XXIX 

GIVE unto the Lord, O ye mighty, 
give unto the Lord glory and strength. 

Give unto the Lord the glory due 
unto his name; worship the Lord in 
the beauty of holiness. 

The voice of the Lord is powerful; 
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 

The Lord will give strength unto his 
people; the Lord will bless his people 
with peace. 



Psalm XXXI 

IN thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; 
let me never be ashamed : deliver me in 
thy righteousness. 

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver 
me speedily: be thou my strong rock, 
for a house of defence to save me. 

For thou art my rock and my fortress; 
therefore for thy name's sake lead me, 
and guide me. 

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: 
thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of 
truth. 

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy : 
for thou hast considered my trouble; 
thou hast known my soul in adver- 
sities. 

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I 
am in trouble. For my life is spent with 
grief, and my years with sighing. 

But I trusted in thee, O Lord : I said, 
Thou art my God. My times are in 
thy hand. 

Make thy face to shine upon thy 
servant : save me for thy mercies' 
sake. 

O how great is thy goodness, which 
thou hast laid up for them that fear 
thee; which thou hast wrought for 
them that trust in thee before the sons 
of men! 

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of 
thy presence from the pride of man: 
thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavil- 
ion from the strife of tongues. 

O love the Lord, all ye his saints: 
for the Lord preserveth the faithful, 
and plentifully rewardeth the proud 
doer. 

Be of good courage, and he shall 
strengthen your heart, all ye that hope 
in the Lord. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 59 



SEVENTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXXII 

BLESSED is he whose transgression is 
forgiven, whose sin is covered. 

Blessed is the man unto whom the 
Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in 
whose spirit there is no guile. 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and 
mine iniquity have I not hid. 

I said, I will confess my transgressions 
unto the Lord: and thou forgavest the 
iniquity of my sin. 

For this shall every one that is godly 
pray unto thee in a time when thou 
mayest be found. 

Thou art my hiding place : thou shalt 
preserve me from trouble; thou shalt 
compass me about with songs of deliv- 
erance. 

I will instruct thee and teach thee in 
the way which thou shalt go: I will 
guide thee with mine eye. 

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye 
righteous: and shout for joy, all ye 
that are upright in heart. 

[ Psalm XXXIII 

' REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous : 
i for praise is comely for the upright. 

For the word of the Lord is right; 
[ and all his works are done in truth. 
: He loveth righteousness and judg- 
• ment: the earth is full of the goodness 

of the Lord. 
: By the word of the Lord were the 
, heavens made; and all the host of them 
1 by the breath of his mouth. 

He gathereth the waters of the sea 
1 together as a heap: he layeth up the 
e depth in storehouses. 

Let all the earth fear the Lord: let 



all the inhabitants of the world stand 
in awe of him. 

For he spake, and it was done; he 
commanded, and it stood fast. 

The counsel of the Lord standeth for 
ever, the thoughts of his heart to all 
generations. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the 
Lord; and the people whom he hath 
chosen for his own inheritance. 

The Lord looketh from heaven; he 
beholdeth ail the sons of men. 

From the place of his habitation he 
looketh upon all the inhabitants of the 
earth. 

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon 
them that fear him, upon them that 
hope in his mercy; 

To deliver their soul from death, and 
to keep them alive in famine. 

Our soul waiteth for the Lord : he is 
our help and our shield. 

Foi our heart shall rejoice in him, be- 
cause we have trusted in his holy name. 

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, 
according as we hope in thee. 

EIGHTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXXIV 

I WILL bless the Lord at all times: 
his praise shall continually be in my 
mouth. 

My soul shall make her boast in the 
Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, 
and be glad. 

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and 
let us exalt his name together. 

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, 
and delivered me from all my fears. 

This poor man cried, and the Lord 
heard him, and saved him out of all his 
troubles. 



60 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



The angel of the Lord encampeth 
round about them that fear him, and 
delivereth them. 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is 
good: blessed is the man that trusteth 
in him. 

Oh, fear the Lord, ye his saints: for 
there is no want to them that fear 
him. 

The young lions do lack, and suffer 
hunger: but they that seek the Lord 
shall not want any good thing. 

Come, ye children, hearken unto 
me: I will teach you the fear of 
the Lord. 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy 
lips from speaking guile. 

Depart from evil, and do good; seek 
peace, and pursue it. 

The eyes of the Lord are upon the 
righteous, and his ears are open unto 
their cry. 

The face of the Lord is against them 
that do evil, to cut off the remembrance 
of them from the earth. 

The righteous cry, and the Lord hear- 
eth, and delivereth them out of all their 
troubles. 

The Lord is nigh unto them that are 
of a broken heart; and saveth such as 
be of a contrite spirit. 

Many are the afflictions of the right- 
eous: but the Lord delivereth him out 
of them all. 

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his 
servants: and none of them that trust 
in him shall be desolate. 

Psalm XXXVI 

THY mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; 
and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the 
clouds. 



Thy righteousness is like the great 
mountains; thy judgments are a great 
deep : O Lord, thou preservest man and 
beast. 

How excellent is thy loving-kindness, 
O God! therefore the children of men 
put their trust under the shadow of thy 
wings. 

They shall be abundantly satisfied; 
and thou shalt make them drink of the 
river of thy pleasures. 

For with thee is the fountain of life: 
in thy light shall we see light. 

Oh, continue thy loving-kindness 
unto them that know thee; and thy 
righteousness to the upright in heart. 

NINTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXXVII 

FRET not thyself because of evil doers, 
neither be thou envious against the 
workers of iniquity. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so 
shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily 
thou shalt be fed. 

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and 
he shall give thee the desires of thine 
heart. 

Commit thy way unto the Lord; 
trust also in him; and he shall bring it 
to pass. 

And he shall bring forth thy right- 
eousness as the light, and thy judgment 
as the noonday. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently 
for him : fret not thyself because of him 
who prospereth in his way, because of 
the man who bringeth wicked devices 
to pass. 

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : 
fret not thyself in any wise to do 
evil. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



61 



For yet a little while, and the wicked 
shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently 
consider his place, and it shall not be. 

But the meek shall inherit the earth; 
and shall delight themselves in the 
abundance of peace. 

A little that a righteous man hath 
is better than the riches of many 
wicked. 

The Lord knoweth the days of the 
upright: and their inheritance shall be 
for ever. 

They shall not be ashamed in the 
evil time: and in the days of famine 
they shall be satisfied. 

The wicked borroweth, and payeth 
not again: but the righteous sheweth 
mercy, and giveth. 

The steps of a good man are ordered 
by the Lord: and he delighteth in his 
way. 

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly 
cast down : for the Lord upholdeth him 
with his hand. 

Depart from evil, and do good; and 
dwell for evermore. 

For the Lord loveth judgment, and 
forsaketh not his saints; they are pre- 
served for ever. 

The mouth of the righteous speaketh 
wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judg- 
ment. 

The law of his God is in his heart; 
none of his steps shall slide. 

I have seen the wicked in great power, 
and spreading himself like a green bay 
tree. 

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was 
not : yea, I sought him, but he could not 
be found. 

Mark the perfect man, and behold 
the upright : for the end of that man is 
peace. 



TENTH SELECTION 

Psalm XXXIX 

I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, 
that I sin not with my tongue: I will 
keep my mouth with a bridle, while the 
wicked is before me. 

I was dumb with silence, I held my 
peace, even from good; and my sorrow 
was stirred. 

My heart was hot within me; while 
I was musing the fire burned: then 
spake I with my tongue. 

Lord, make me to know mine end, and 
the measure of my days, what it is; 
that I may know how frail I am. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as a 
hand-breadth; and mine age is as noth- 
ing before thee : verily every man at his 
best state is altogether vanity. 

Surely every man walketh in a vain 
show: surely they are disquieted in 
vain: he heapeth up riches, and know- 
eth not who shall gather them. 

And now, Lord, what wait I for.^^ my 
hope is in thee. 

Deliver me from all my transgressions : 
make me not the reproach of the foolish. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give 
ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace 
at my tears: for I am a stranger with 
thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers 
were. 

O, spare me, that I may recover 
strength, before I go hence, and be no 
more. 

Psalm XL 

I WAITED patiently for the Lord; and 
he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

And he hath put a new song in my 
mouth, even praise unto our God : many 
shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in 
the Lord. 



62 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



Blessed is that man that maketh the 
Lord his trust, and respecteth not the 
proud, nor such as turn aside to 
lies. 

Many, O Lord my God, are thy won- 
derful works which thou hast done, 
and thy thoughts which are to us- 
ward: 

They cannot be reckoned up in order 
unto thee : if I would declare and speak 
of them, they are more than can be 
numbered. 

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not 
desire; burnt offering and sin offering 
hast thou not required. 

Then said I, Lo, I come: I delight to 
do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is 
within my heart. 

I have preached righteousness in 
the great congregation: lo, I have 
not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou 
knowest. 

I have not hid thy righteousness 
within my heart; I have declared thy 
faithfulness and thy salvation: 

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies 
from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kind- 
ness and thy truth continually preserve 
me. 

For innumerable evils have com- 
passed me about: mine iniquities have 
taken hold upon me, so that I am not 
able to look up; therefore my heart 
faileth me. 

Let all those that seek thee rejoice 
and be glad in thee: 

Let such as love thy salvation say 
continually. The Lord be magnified. 

But I am poor and needy; yet the 
Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my 
help and my deliverer; make no tarry- 
ing, O my God. 



ELEVENTH SELECTION 

Psalm XLII 

AS the hart panteth after the water 
brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 
OGod. 

My soul thirsteth for God, for the 
living God: when shall I come and 
appear before God.^ 

For I had gone with the multitude, I 
went with them to the house of God, 
with the voice of joy and praise, with a 
multitude that kept holy-day. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul.^^ 
and why art thou disquieted in me.^ 
hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise 
him for the help of his countenance. 

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise 
of thy water-spouts: all thy waves 
and thy billows are gone over me. 

Yet the Lord will command his lov- 
ing-kindness in the daytime, and in 
the night his song shall be with me, and 
my prayer unto the God of my life. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul.'^ 
and why art thou disquieted within me.^ 

Hope thou in God: for I shall yet 
praise him, who is the health of my 
countenance, and my God. 

Psalm XLIII 

JUDGE me,0 God, and plead my cause: 
for thou art the God of my strength. 

O send out thy light and thy truth : 
let them lead me; let them bring me 
unto thy holy hill. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul.?^ 
and why art thou disquieted within 
me? 

Hope in God: for I shall yet praise 
him, who is the health of my counte- 
nance, and my God. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



63 



Psalm XLVI 

GOD is our refuge and strength, a very 
present help in trouble. 

Therefore will not we fear, though 
the earth be removed, and though the 
mountains be carried into the midst of 
the sea: 

Though the waters thereof roar and 
be troubled, though the mountains 
shake with the swelling thereof. 

There is a river, the streams whereof 
shall make glad the city of God, the 
holy place of the tabernacles of the 
Most High. 

God is in the midst of her; she shall 
not be moved: God shall help her, and 
that right early. 

Come, behold the works of the Lord. 
He maketh wars to cease unto the end 
of the earth; he breaketh the bow, 
and cutteth the spear in sunder. 

Be still, and know that I am God: I 
will be exalted in the earth. 

The Lord of hosts is with us; God 
is our refuge. 

TWELFTH SELECTION 

Psalm XLIX 

HEAR this, all ye people; give ear, all 
ye inhabitants of the world: 

Both low and high, rich and poor; 
together. 

My mouth shall speak of w^isdom; 
and the meditation of my heart shall 
be of understanding. 

They that trust in their wealth, and 
boast themselves in the multitude of 
their riches; 

None of them can by any means re- 
deem his brother, nor give to God a 
ransom for him: 



Their inward thought is, that their 
houses shall continue for ever, and their 
dwelling-places to all generations; they 
call their lands after their own names. 

Nevertheless man being in honor 
abideth not: he is like the beasts that 
perish. 

But God will redeem my soul from 
the power of the grave: for he shall 
receive me. 

Psalm L 

THE mighty God, even the Lord, hath 
spoken, and called the earth from the 
rising of the sun unto the going down 
thereof. 

Out of the perfection of beauty, God 
hath shined. 

Our God shall come, and shall not 
keep silence. 

He shall call to the heavens from 
above, and to the earth, that he may 
judge his people. 

And the heavens shall declare his 
righteousness; for God is judge him- 
self. 

Hear, O my people, and I will speak; 
I am God, even thy God. 

Every beast of the forest is mine, and 
the cattle upon a thousand hills. 

I know all the fowls of the mountains; 
and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 

I will not reprove thee for thy sacri- 
fices or thy burnt offerings continually 
before me. 

If I were hungry, I would not tell 
thee : for the world is mine, and the ful- 
ness thereof. 

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and 
pay thy vows unto the Most High: 

And call upon me in the day of 
trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou 
shalt glorify me. 



64. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



But unto the wicked God saith. 
What hast thou to do to declare my 
statutes, or that thou shouldest take 
my covenant in thy mouth? 

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and 
castest my words behind thee. 

Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and 
thy tongue frameth deceit. 

Thou sittest and speakest against thy 
brother; thou slanderest thine own 
mother's son. 

These things hast thou done, and I 
kept silence: thou thoughtest that I 
was altogether as thyself; but I will 
reprove thee, and set them in order be- 
fore thine eyes. 

To him that ordereth his conversa- 
tion aright will I shew the salvation of 
God. 

THIRTEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LI 

HAVE mercy upon me, O God, ac- 
cording to thy loving-kindness : accord- 
ing unto the multitude of thy tender 
mercies blot out my transgressions. 

Wash me thoroughly from mine in- 
iquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 

For I acknowledge my transgressions : 
and my sin is ever before me. 

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, 
and done this evil in thy sight. 

Behold, thou desirest truth in the 
inward parts: and in the hidden part 
thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot 
out all mine iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; 
and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away from thy presence; 
and take not thy holy spirit from 
me. 



Restore unto me the joy of thy sal- 
vation; and uphold me with thy free 
spirit. 

0 Lord, open thou my lips; and my 
mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else 
would I give it: thou delightest not in 
burnt offering. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken 
spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 

0 God, thou wilt not despise. 

Psalm LVI 

BE merciful unto me, O God: for they 
be many that fight against me, O thou 
Most High. 

What time I am afraid, I will trust 
in thee. 

In God I will praise his word, in God 

1 have put my trust; I will not fear 
what flesh can do unto me. 

When I cry unto thee, then shall 
mine enemies turn back: this I know; 
for God is for me. 

In God will I praise his word : in God 
have I put my trust: I will not be 
afraid what man can do unto me. 

For thou hast delivered my soul from 
death: wilt not thou deliver my feet 
from falling, that I may walk before 
God in the light of the living.'^ 

Psalm LVII 

BE merciful unto me, O God, be mer- 
ciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in 
thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings 
will I make my refuge, until these 
calamities be overpast. 

1 will cry unto God Most High ; unto 
God that performeth all things for me. 

He shall send from heaven, and save 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



65 



me. God shall send forth his mercy 
and his truth. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the 
heavens; let thy glory be above all the 
earth. 

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart 
is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the 
people: I will sing unto thee among 
the nations. 

For thy mercy is great unto the heav- 
ens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the 
heavens: let thy glory be above all the 
earth. 

FOURTEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LXI 

HEAR my cry, O God; attend unto 
my prayer: from the end of the earth 
will I cry unto thee, when my heart is 
overwhelmed. 

Lead me to the rock that is higher 
than I. 

For thou hast been a shelter for 
me, and a strong tower from the 
enemy. 

I will abide in thy tabernacle for 
ever: I will trust in the covert of thy 
wings. 

For thou, O God, hast heard my 
vows: thou hast given me the heritage 
of those that fear thy name. 

So will I sing praise unto thy name 
for ever, that I may daily perform 
my vows. 

Psalm LXII 

TRULY my soul waiteth upon God: 
from him cometh my salvation. 

He only is my rock and my salvation; 



he is my defence; I shall not be greatly 
moved. 

My soul, wait thou only upon God; 
for my expectation is from him. 

He only is my rock and my sal- 
vation: he is my defence; I shall not 
be moved. 

In God is my salvation and my 
glory: the rock of my strength, and my 
refuge, is in God. 

Trust in him at all times; ye people, 
pour out your heart before him: God 
is a refuge for us. 

Trust not in oppression, and become 
not vain in robbery. 

If riches increase, set not your heart 
upon them. 

God hath spoken once; twice have I 
heard this; that power belongeth unto 
God. 

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth 
mercy : for thou renderest to every man 
according to his work. 

Psalm LXIII 

0 GOD, thou art my God ; early 
will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth 
for thee, my flesh longeth for thee 
in a dry and thirsty land, where no 
water is ; 

To see thy power and thy glory, so as 

1 have seen thee in the sanctuary. 
Because thy loving-kindness is bet- 
ter than life, my lips shall praise 
thee. Thus will I bless thee while I 
live: 

I will lift up my hands in thy 
name. 

My soul shall be satisfied; and my 
mouth shall praise thee with joyful 
lips: 

When I remember thee upon my bed. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



66 

and meditate on thee in the night 
Avatches. 

Because thou hast been my help, 
therefore in the shadow of thy wings 
will I rejoice. 

My soul followeth hard after thee: 
thy right hand upholdeth me. 

FIFTEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LXV 

PRAISE waitethfor thee, O God: and 
unto thee shall the vow be performed. 

Oh, thou that hearest prayer, unto 
thee shall all flesh come. 

Iniquities prevail against me: as for 
our transgressions, thou shalt purge 
them away. 

Blessed is the man whom thou choos- 
est, and causest to approach unto thee, 
that he may dwell in thy courts. 

We shall be satisfied with the good- 
ness of thy house, even of thy holy 
temple. 

By terrible things in righteousness 
wilt thou answer us, O God of our sal- 
vation; who art the confidence of all the 
ends of the earth, and of them that are 
afar off upon the sea: 

Which by his strength setteth fast 
the mountains; being girded with 
power : 

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, 
the noise of their waves, and the tumult 
of the people. 

They also that dwell in the uttermost 
parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou 
makest the outgoings of the morning 
and evening to rejoice. 

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest 
it: thou greatly enrichest it with the 
river of God, which is full of water: 



thou preparest them corn, when thou 
hast so provided for it. 

Thou waterest the ridges thereof 
abundantly: thou settlest the furrows 
thereof: thou makest it soft with 
showers: thou blessest the springing 
thereof. 

Thou crownest the year with thy 
goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. 

They drop upon the pastures of the 
wilderness: and the little hills rejoice 
on every side. 

The pastures are clothed with flocks; 
the valleys also are covered over with 
corn; they shout for joy, they also 



smg. 



Psalm LXVI 



MAKE a joyful noise unto God, all ye 
lands: sing forth the honor of his name: 
make his praise glorious. 

All the earth shall worship thee, and 
shall sing unto thee; they shall sing toi 
thy name. 

He ruleth by his power for ever; his 
eyes behold the nations: let not the 
rebellious exalt themselves. 

Oh, bless our God, ye people, and 
make the voice of his praise to be 
heard : 

Which holdeth our soul in life, and 
suffer eth not our feet to be moved. 

For thou, O God, hast proved us: 
thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, 
and I will declare what he hath done 
for my soul. 

I cried unto him with my mouth, and 
he was extolled with my tongue. 

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the 
Lord will not hear me: but verily God 
hath heard me: he hath attended to the 
voice of my prayer. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



67 



Blessed be God, which hath not 
turned away my prayer, nor his mercy 
from me. 

Psalm LXVII 

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless 
us; and cause his face to shine upon 
us; that thy way may be known upon 
earth, thy saving health among all 
nations. 

Let the people praise thee, O God; 
let all the people praise thee. 

Oh, let the nations be glad and sing 
for joy: for thou shalt judge the people 
righteously, and govern the nations 
upon earth. 

Let the people praise thee, O God; 
let all the people praise thee. 

Then shall the earth yield her in- 
crease; and God, even our own God, 
shall bless us. 

God shall bless us; and all the ends 
of the earth shall fear him. 

SLXTEENTH SELECTION 
Psalm LXVIII 

LET the righteous be glad; let them 
rejoice before God: yea, let them ex- 
ceedingly rejoice. 

Sing unto God, sing praises to his 
name: 

A father of the fathei4ess, and a judge 
of the widows, is God in his holy 
habitation. 

God setteth the solitary in families: 
he bringeth out those which are bound 
with chains. 

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful 
rain, thou didst confirm thine inheri- 
tance, when it was weary. 

Thy congregation hath dwelt therein : 



thou, O God, hast prepared of thy 
goodness for the poor. 

The Lord gave the word: great was 
the company of those that published it. 

Blessed be the Lord, who daily load- 
eth us with benefits, even the God of 
our salvation. 

He that is our God is the God of sal- 
vation; and unto God the Lord belong 
the issues from death. 

God giveth strength and power unto 
his people. Blessed be God. 

Psalm LXX 

MAKE haste, O God, to deliver me; 
make haste to help me, O Lord. 

Let all those that seek thee rejoice 
and be glad in thee: and let such as 
love thy salvation say continually. Let 
God be magnified. 

But I am poor and needy; make 
haste unto me, O God. 

Thou art my help and my deliverer; 
O Lord, make no tarrying. 

Psalm LXXI 

IN thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: 
let me never be put to confusion. 

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and 
cause me to escape: incline thine ear 
unto me, and save me. 

Be thou my strong habitation, where- 
Vinto I may continually resort: thou 
hast given commandment to save me; 
for thou art my rock and my fortress. 

For thou art my hope, O Lord 
God : thou art my trust from my 
youth. 

I am as a wonder unto many; but 
thou art my strong refuge. 

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise 
and with thy honor all the day. 



68 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



Cast me not off in the time of old age; 
forsake me not when my strength 
faileth. 

0 God, be not far from me: O my 
God, make haste for my help. 

1 will hope continually, and will yet 
praise thee more and more. 

My mouth shall shew forth thy 
righteousness and thy salvation all the 
day. 

I will go in the strength of the Lord 
God: I will make mention of thy 
righteousness, even of thine only. 

O God, thou hast taught me from my 
youth: and hitherto have I declared 
thy wondrous works. 

When I am old and gray-headed, O 
God, forsake me not; until I have 
shewed thy strength unto this genera- 
tion, and thy power to every one that 
is to come. 

Thy righteousness also, O God, is 
very high: O God, who is like unto 
thee! 

SEVENTEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LXXIII 

TRULY God is good to such as are of 
a clean heart. 

But as for me, my feet were almost 
gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 

For I was envious at the foolish, when 
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

They are not in trouble as other men; 
neither are they plagued like other men. 

Therefore pride compasseth them 
about as a chain; violence covereth 
them as a garment. 

And they say, How doth God know? 
and is there knowledge in the Most High ? 

Behold, these are the ungodly, who 



prosper in the world; they increase I 
in riches. 

Verily I have cleansed my heart in 
vain, and washed my hands in inno- 
cency. 

When I thought to know this, it was 
too painful for me; until I went into 
the sanctuary of God; then understood 
I their end. 

Nevertheless I am continually with 
thee : thou hast holden me by my right 
hand. 

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, 
and afterward receive me to glory. 

Whom have I in heaven but thee.^ 
and there is none upon earth that I j 
desire besides thee. i 

My flesh and my heart faileth: but 
God is the strength of my heart, and,, 
my portion for ever. 

It is good for me to draw near to God : 
I have put my trust in the Lord God, 
that I may declare all thy works. 

Psalm LXXVII j 

I CRIED unto God with my voice, even 
unto God with my voice; and he gave I 1 
ear unto me. j i 

In the day of my trouble I sought the :i 
Lord: my soul refused to be comforted, j 

I remembered God, and was trou- i s 
bled: I complained, and my spirit was ; ( 
overwhelmed. 

Thou boldest mine eyes waking: I l 
am so troubled that I cannot speak. 

I have considered the days of old, ii 
the years of ancient times. 

I call to remembrance my song in the \ 
night: I commune with mine own heart: j ii 
and my spirit made diligent search. j 

Will the Lord cast off for ever? e' 
and will he be favorable no more? G 

i 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



69 



Is his mercy clean gone for ever? 
doth his promise fail for evermore? 

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? 
hath he in anger shut up his tender 
mercies? 

And I said, This is my infirmity : but 
I will remember the years of the right 
hand of the Most High. 

I will remember the works of the Lord : 
surely I will remember thy wonders 
of old. 

I will meditate also of all thy work, 
and talk of thy doings. 

Thou art the God that doest wonders : 
thou hast declared thy strength among 
the people. 

Thy way is in the sea, and thy path 
in the great waters, and thy footsteps 
are not known. 

EIGHTEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LXXXIV 

HOW amiable are thy tabernacles, O 
Lord of hosts! 

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth 
for the courts of the Lord : my heart and 
my flesh crieth out for the living God. 

Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, 
and the swallow a nest for herself, where 
she may lay her young, even thine altars, 
O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. 

Blessed are they that dwell in thy 
house: they will be still praising thee. 

Blessed is the man whose strength is 
in thee; 

In whose heart are the ways of them 
who passing through the valley of weep- 
ing make it a well. 

They go from strength to strength, 
every one of them appeareth before 
God. 



For a day in thy courts is better than 
a thousand. I had rather be a door- 
keeper in the house of my God, than to 
dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield : 
the Lord will give grace and glory: no 
good thing will he withhold from them 
that walk uprightly. 

0 Lord of hosts, blessed is the man 
that trusteth in thee. 

Psalm LXXXV 

LORD, thou hast been favorable unto 
thy land; thou hast forgiven the in- 
iquity of thy people; thou hast covered 
all their sin. 

Wilt thou not revive us again: that 
thy people may rejoice in thee? Show 
us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy 
salvation. 

1 will hear what God the Lord will 
speak: for he will speak peace unto his 
people, and to his saints: but let them 
not turn again to folly. 

Surely his salvation is nigh them that 
fear him; that glory may dwell in our 
land. 

Mercy and truth are met together; 
righteousness and peace have kissed 
each other. 

Truth shall spring out of the earth; 
and righteousness shall look down from 
heaven. 

Yea, the Lord shall give that which 
is good; and our land shall yield her 
increase. 

Righteousness shall go before him; 
and shall set us in the way of his 
steps. 

Psalm LXXXVI 

BOW down thine ear, O Lord, hear me : 
for I am poor and needy. 



70 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



Preserve my soul; O thou my God, 
save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I 
cry unto thee daily. 

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for 
unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my 
soul. 

For thou. Lord, art good, and ready 
to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto 
all them that call upon thee. 

Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; 
and attend to the voice of my supplica- 
tions. 

In the day of my trouble I will call 
upon thee : for thou wilt answer me. 

All nations whom thou hast made 
shall come and worship before thee, O 
Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 

For thou art great, and doest won- 
drous things; thou art God alone. 

Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will 
walk in thy truth: unite my heart to 
fear thy name. 

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, 
with all my heart : and I will glorify thy 
name for evermore. 

For great is thy mercy toward me; 
thou hast delivered my soul. 

Thou, O Lord, art a God full of com- 
passion, and gracious, long-suffering, 
and plenteous in mercy and truth. 

Oh, turn unto me, and have mercy 
upon me: give thy strength unto thy 
servant, and save the son of thine 
handmaid. 

NINETEENTH SELECTION 

Psalm LXXXIX 
I WILL sing of the mercies of the Lord 
for ever: with my mouth will I make 
known thy faithfulness to all genera- 
tions. 



For I have said, Mercy shall be built 
up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou 
establish in the very heavens. 

And the heavens shall praise thy 
wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also 
in the congregation of the saints. 

God is greatly to be feared in the 
assembly of the saints, and to be had in 
reverence of all them that are about him. 

O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong 
Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithful- 
ness round about thee? 

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: 
when the waves thereof arise, thou 
stillest them. 

The heavens are thine, the earth 
also is thine: as for the world and 
the fulness thereof, thou hast founded 
them. 

Justice and judgment are the habita-. 
tion of thy throne: mercy and truth 
shall go before thy face. 

Blessed is the people that know the 
joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, 
in the light of thy countenance. 

In thy name shall they rejoice all the 
day : and in thy righteousness shall they i 
be exalted. ' 

Psalm XC 

LORD, thou hast been our dwellings | 
place in all generations. 

Before the mountains were brought 
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the i 
earth and the world, even from ever- 
lasting to everlasting, thou art God. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are 
but as yesterday when it is past, and as 
a watch in the night. 

Thou carriest them away as with a 
flood; they are as a sleep: in the morn- 
ing they are like grass which groweth up. 

In the morning it flourisheth, and 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



71 



groweth up; in the evening it is cut 
down, and withereth. 

Thou hast set our iniquities before 
thee, our secret sins in the light of thy 
countenance. 

The days of our years are threescore 
and ten; and if by reason of strength 
they be fourscore years, yet is their 
strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon 
cut off, and we fly away. 

So teach us to number our days, 
that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom. 

0 satisfy us early with thy mercy; 
that we may rejoice and be glad all our 
days. 

Let thy work appear unto thy 
servants, and thy glory unto their 
children. 

And let the beauty of the Lord our 
God be upon us : and establish thou the 
work of our hands upon us. 

Yea, the work of our hands establish 
thou it. 

TWENTIETH SELECTION 

Psalm XCI 

HE that dwelleth in the secret place 
of the Most High shall abide under the 
shadow of the Almighty. 

1 will say of the Lord, He is my refuge 
and my fortress: my God; in him will 
I trust. 

Surely he shall deliver thee from the 
snare of the fowler, and from the noi- 
some pestilence. 

He shall cover thee with his feathers, 
and under his wings shalt thou trust: 
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror 
by night; nor for the arrow that flieth 
by day. 



Nor for the pestilence that walketh 
in darkness; nor for the destruction 
that waste th at noonday. 

Because thou hast made the Lord, 
which is my refuge, even the Most High, 
thy habitation; 

He shall give his angels charge over 
thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

They shall bear thee up in their hands, 
lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Because he hath set his love upon me, 
therefore will I deliver him: I will set 
him on high, because he hath known 
my name. 

He shall call upon me, and I will 
answer him: I will be with him in 
trouble; I will deliver him, and honor 
him. 

With long life will I satisfy him, and 
show him my salvation. 

Psalm XCII 

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto 
the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy 
name, O Most High: 

To shew forth thy loving-kindness in 
the morning, and thy faithfulness every 
night. 

For thou. Lord, hast made me glad 
through thy work : I will triumph in the 
works of thy hands. 

O Lord, how great are thy works ! and 
thy thoughts are very deep. 

A brutish man knoweth not; neither 
doth a fool understand this. 

The righteous shall flourish like the 
palm tree : he shall grow like a cedar in 
Lebanon. 

Those that be planted in the house of 
the Lord shall flourish in the courts of 
our God; they shall still bring forth 
fruit in old age. 



72 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



To shew that the Lord is upright: he 
is my rock, and there is no unrighteous- 
ness in him. 

TWENTY-FIRST SELECTION 

Psalm XCV 

O COME, let US sing unto the Lord: 
let us make a joyful noise to the Rock 
of our salvation. 

Let us come before his presence with 
thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise 
unto him with psalms. 

In his hand are the deep places of the 
earth: the strength of the hills is his 
also. 

The sea is his, and he made it: and 
his hands formed the dry land. 

Oh, come, let us worship and bow 
down: let us kneel before the Lord our 
maker. 

For he is our God; and we are the 
people of his pasture, and the sheep of 
his hand. 

Psalm XCVI 

O SING unto the Lord a new song: 
sing unto the Lord, all the earth. 

Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; 
shew forth his salvation from day to 
day. 

Declare his glory among the heathen, 
his wonders among all people. 

For the Lord is great, and greatly to 
be praised. 

Honor and majesty are before him: 
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 

Give unto the Lord, Oh ye kindreds 
of the people, give unto the Lord glory 
and strength. 

Give unto the Lord the glory due 
unto his name: bring an offering, and 
come into his courts. 



Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty 
of holiness: fear before him, all the 
earth. 

Say among the heathen that the Lord 
reigneth: the world also shall be estab- 
lished that it shall not be moved: he 
shall judge the people righteously. 

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the 
earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the 
fulness thereof. 

Let the field be joyful, and all that is 
therein; then shall all the trees of the 
wood rejoice before the Lord: 

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge 
the earth: he shall judge the world 
with righteousness, and the people 
with his truth. 

Psalm XCVII 

THE Lord reigneth; let the earth re- 
joice; let the multitude of isles be glad 
thereof. 

Clouds and darkness are round about 
him: righteousness and judgment are 
the habitation of his throne. 

His lightnings enlightened the world: 
the earth saw, and trembled. 

The hills melted like wax at the pres- 
ence of the Lord, at the presence of the 
Lord of the whole earth. 

The heavens declare his righteous- 
ness, and all the people see his glory. 

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he 
preserveth the souls of his saints; he 
delivereth them out of the hand of the 
wicked. 

Light is sown for the righteous, and 
gladness for the upright in heart. 

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; 
and give thanks at the remembrance of 
his holiness. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



73 



TWENTY-SECOND SELECTION 

Psalm XCVIII 

O SING unto the Lord a new 
song; for he hath done marvellous 
things : 

His right hand, and his holy arm, hath 
gotten him the victory. 

The Lord hath made known his sal- 
vation: his righteousness hath he 
openly shewed in the sight of the 
heathen. 

He hath remembered his mercy and 
his truth; all the ends of the earth have 
seen the salvation of our God. 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all 
the earth: make a loud noise, and re- 
joice, and sing praise. 

Let the sea roar, and the fulness 
thereof; the world, and they that dwell 
therein. 

Let the floods clap their hands: let 
the hills be joyful together before the 
Lord. 

For he cometh to judge the earth: 
with righteousness shall he judge 
the world, and the people with 
equity. 

Psalm C 

MAKE a joyful noise unto the Lord, 
) all ye lands : serve the Lord with glad- 
ness: come before his presence with 
singing. 

Know ye that the Lord he is God: 
it is he that hath made us, and not we 
ourselves; we are his people, and the 
sheep of his pasture. 

Enter into his gates with thanks- 
giving, and into his courts with praise: 
Be thankful unto him, and bless his 
name.* 



For the Lord is good; his mercy is 
everlasting; and his truth endureth to 
all generations. 

Psalm CI 

I WILL sing of mercy and judgment: 
unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. 

I will behave myself wisely in a per- 
fect way. I will walk within my house 
with a perfect heart. 

I will set no wicked thing before mine 
eyes: a froward heart shall depart 
from me. 

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful 
of the land that they may dwell with me : 

He that walketh in a perfect way, he 
shall serve me. 

He that worketh deceit shall not 
dwell within my house. He that telleth 
lies shall not tarry in my sight. 

Psalm CII 

HEAR my prayer, O Lord, and let my 
cry come unto thee. 

Hide not thy face from me in the day 
when I am in trouble; incline thine ear 
unto me: 

My days are like a shadow that 
declineth; and I am withered like 
grass. 

But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for 
ever; and thy remembrance unto all 
generations. 

I said, O my God, take me not away 
in the midst of my days : thy years are 
throughout all generations. 

Of old hast thou laid the foundation 
of the earth: and the heavens are the 
work of thy hands. 

They shall perish, but thou shalt 
endure : yea, all of them shall wax 
old like a garment; as a vesture 



74 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



shalt thou change them, and they shall 
be changed. 

But thou art the same, and thy years 
shall have no end. 

TWENTY-THIRD SELECTION 

Psalm CIII 

BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and all 
that is within me, bless his holy name. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget 
not all his benefits: 

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; 
who healeth all thy diseases; 

Who redeemeth thy life from de- 
struction; who crowneth thee with 
loving-kindness and tender mercies; 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good 
things; so that thy youth is renewed 
like the eagle's. 

The Lord executeth righteousness and * 
judgment for all that are oppressed. 

The Lord is merciful and gracious, 
slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

He hath not dealt with us after our 
sins; nor rewarded us according to our 
iniquities. 

For as the heaven is high above the 
earth, so great is his mercy toward them 
that fear him. 

As far as the east is from the west, so 
far hath he removed our transgressions 
from us. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, 
so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 

For he knoweth our frame; he re- 
membereth that we are dust. 

As for man, his days are as grass: 
as a flower of the field, so he flour- 
isheth. 

For the wind passeth over it, and it is 
gone; and the place thereof shall know 
it no more. 



But the mercy of the Lord is from 
everlasting to everlasting upon them 
that fear him, and his righteousness 
unto children's children; 

To such as keep his covenant, and to 
those that remember his command- 
ments to do them. 

The Lord hath prepared his throne in 
the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth 
over all. 

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that 
excel in strength, that do his command- 
ments, hearkening unto the voice of his 
word. 

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye 
ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 

Bless the Lord, all his works in all 
places of his dominion: bless the Lord, 
O my soul. 

TWENTY-FOURTH SELECTION ; 

Psalm CIV 

BLESS the Lord, O my soul. O Lord 
my God, thou art very great; thou art 
clothed with honor and majesty: 

Who coverest thyself with light as 
with a garment : who stretchest out the 
heavens like a curtain: 

Who layeth the beams of his chambers 
in the waters: who maketh the clouds 
his chariot: who walketh upon the 
wings of the wind: 

Who maketh his angels spirits; his 
ministers a flaming fire. 

Who laid the foundations of the 
earth, that it should not be removed 
for ever. 

Thou coverest it with the deep as with 
a garment: the waters stood above the 
mountains. 

He sendeth the springs into the val- 
leys, which run among the hills. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



75 



They give drink to every beast of the 
field : the wild asses quench their thirst. 

By them shall the fowls of the heaven 
have their habitation, which sing among 
the branches. 

He causeth the grass to grow for the 
cattle, and herb for the service of man: 
that he may bring forth food out of the 
earth; 

He appointed the moon for seasons: 
the sun knoweth his going down. 

Thou makest darkness, and it is night : 
wherein all the beasts of the forest do 
creep forth. 

The young lions roar after their prey, 
and seek their meat from God. 

The sun ariseth, they gather them- 
selves together, and lay them down in 
their dens. 

Man goeth forth unto his work and 
to his labor until the evening. 

O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! 
in wisdom hast thou made them all: 
the earth is full of thy riches. 

So is this great and wide sea, wherein 
are things creeping innumerable, both 
small and great beasts. 

These wait all upon thee; that thou 
mayest give them their meat in due 
season. 

That thou givest them they gather: 
thou openest thine hand, they are 
filled with good. 

Thou hidest thy face, they are 
troubled: thou takest away their breath, 
they die, and return to their dust. 

Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they 
are created : and thou renewest the face 
of the earth. 

The glory of the Lord shall endure 
for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his 
works. 

He looketh on the earth, and it trem- 



bleth: he toucheth the hills, and they 
smoke. 

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I 
live: I will sing praise to my God while 
I have my being. 

My meditation of him shall be sweet : 
I will be glad in the Lord. 

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. 
Praise ye the Lord. 

TWENTY-FIFTH SELECTION 

• PsAm CVII 

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord for he 
is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, 
whom he hath redeemed from the hand 
of the enemy; 

And gathered them out of the lands 
from the east, and from the west, from 
the north, and from the south. 

They wandered in the wilderness in a 
solitary way; they found no city to 
dwell in. 

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted 
in them. 

Then they cried unto the Lord in their 
trouble, and he delivered them out of 
their distresses. 

And he led them forth by the right 
way, that they might go to a city of 
habitation. 

Oh that men would praise the Lord 
for his goodness, and for his wonderful 
works to the children of men! 

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and 
filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 

Such as sit in darkness and in the 
shadow of death, being bound in afflic- 
tion and iron; 

They cried unto the Lord in their 
trouble, and he saved them out of their 
distresses. 



76 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



He brought them out of darkness and 
.the shadow of death, and brake their 
bands in sunder. 

Oh that men would praise the Lord 
for his goodness, and for his wonderful 
works to the children of men! 

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices 
of thanksgiving, and declare his works 
with rejoicing. 

They that go down to the sea in ships, 
that do business in great waters; 

These see the works of the Lord, and 
his wonders in the deep. 

For he commandeth, and raiseth the 
stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves 
thereof. 

They mount up to the heaven, they 
go down again to the depths: their 
soul is melted because of trouble. 

Then they cry unto the Lord in their 
trouble, and he bringeth them out of 
their distresses. 

He maketh the storm a calm, so that 
the waves thereof are still. 

Then are they glad because they be 
quiet; so he bringeth them unto their 
desired haven. 

Oh that men would praise the Lord for 
his goodness, and for his wonderful 
wwks to the children of men! 

Let them exalt him also in the congre- 
gation of the people, and praise him in 
the assembly of the elders. 

He turneth rivers into a wilderness, 
and the water-springs into dry ground. 

He turneth the wilderness into a 
standing water, and dry ground into 
water-springs. 

And there he maketh the hungry to 
dwell, that they may prepare a city 
for habitation; 

And sow the fields, and plant vine- 



yards, which may yield of fruits in- 
crease. 

Whoso is wise, and will observe these 
things, even they shall understand the 
loving-kindness of the Lord. 

TWENTY-SIXTH SELECTION 
Psalm CVIII 

0 GOD, my heart is fixed; I will sing 
and give praise. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the 
people : and I will sing praises unto thee 
among the nations. 

For thy mercy is great above the 
heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto 
the clouds. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the 
heavens; and thy glory above all the 
earth; 

That thy beloved may be delivered: 
save with thy right hand, and answer 
me. God hath spoken in his holiness; 

1 will rejoice. 

Give us help from trouble: for vain 
is the help of man. Through God we 
shall do valiantly. 

Psalm CXI 

I WILL praise the Lord with my whole 
heart, in the assembly of the upright, 
and in the congregation. 

The works of the Lord are great, 
sought out of all them that have pleasure 
therein. 

His work is honorable and glorious: 
and his righteousness endureth for ever. 

He hath made his wonderful works to 
be remembered: the Lord is gracious 
and full of compassion. 

The works of his hands are verity and 
judgment; all his commandments are 
sure. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



77 



They stand fast for ever and ever, and 
are done in truth and uprightness. 

He sent redemption unto his people: 
he hath commanded his covenant for 
ever: holy and reverend is his name. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning 
of wisdom: a good understanding have 
all they that do his commandments. 

Psalm CXII 

BLESSED is the man that feareth the 
Lord, that delighteth greatly in his 
commandments . 

Unto the upright there ariseth light 
in the darkness : he is gracious, and full 
of compassion, and righteous. 

A good man sheweth favor, and lend- 
eth: he will guide his affairs with 
discretion. 

Surely he shall not be moved for ever : 
the righteous shall be in everlasting 
remembrance. 

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : 
his heart is fixed, trusting in the 
Lord. 

His heart is established, he shall not 
be afraid. 

Psalm CXIII 

PRAISE, O ye servants of the Lord, 
praise the name of the Lord. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord from 
this time forth and for evermore. 

From the rising of the sun unto the 
going down of the same the Lord's name 
is to be praised. 

The Lord is high above all nations, 
and his glory above the heavens. 

Who is like unto the Lord our God, 
who dwelleth on high, who humbleth 
himself to behold the things that are in 
heaven, and in the earth! 

Praise ye the Lord. 



TWENTY-SEVENTH SELECTION 

Psalm CXVI 

I LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard 
my voice and my supplications. 

Because he hath inclined his ear unto 
me, therefore will I call upon him as 
long as I live. 

The sorrows of death compassed me: 
I found trouble and sorrow. 

Then called I upon the name of the 
Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver 
my soul. 

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; 
yea, our God is merciful. 

The Lord preserveth the simple: 
I. was brought low, and he helped 
me. 

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for 
the Lord hath dealt bountifully with 
thee. 

For thou hast delivered my soul 
from death, mine eyes from tears, and 
my feet from falling. 

What shall I render unto the Lord for 
all his benefits toward me.'^ 

I will take the cup of salvation, and 
call upon the name of the Lord: I will 
pay my vows unto the Lord now in the 
presence of all his people. 

0 Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am 
thy servant, and the son of thine hand- 
maid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 

1 will offer to thee the sacrifice of 
thanksgiving, and will call upon the 
name of the Lord. 

Psalm CXVIII 

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; for he 
is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Let them now that fear the Lord say, 
that his mercy endureth for ever. 

I called upon the Lord in distress: 



78 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



the Lord answered me, and set me in a 
large place. 

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear : 
what can men do unto me? 

It is better to trust in the Lord than 
to put confidence in man. 

It is better to trust in the Lord than 
to put confidence in princes. 

The Lord is my strength and song, 
and is become my salvation. 

The voice of rejoicing and salvation 
is in the tabernacles of the righteous: 
the right hand of the Lord doeth val- 
iantly. 

I shall not die, but live, and declare 
the works of the Lord. 

The Lord hath chastened me sore: 
but he hath not given me over unto 
death. 

Open to me the gates of righteousness : 
I will go into them, and I will praise the 
Lord. 

I will praise thee : for thou hast heard 
me, and art become my salvation. 

The stone which the builders refused 
is become the head-stone of the corner. 

This is the Lord's doing; it is mar- 
vellous in our eyes. 

This is the day which the Lord hath 
made; we will rejoice and be glad 
in it. 

Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: 
O Lord, I beseech thee, send now 
prosperity. 

Blessed be he that cometh in the name 
of the Lord: w^e have blessed you out 
of the house of the Lord. 

God is the Lord, which hath showed 
us light. 

Thou art my God, and I will praise 
thee: thou art my God, I will exalt 
thee. 

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for 



he is good: for his mercy endureth for 
ever. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH SELECTION 

Psalm CXIX 

BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, 
who walk in the law of the Lord. 

Blessed are they that keep his testi- 
monies, and that seek him with the 
whole heart. 

Wherewithal shall a young man 
cleanse his way.^ by taking heed thereto 
according to thy word. 

With my whole heart have I sought 
thee: O let me not wander from thy 
commandments . 

Open thou mine eyes, that I may 
behold wondrous things out of thy law. 

I will run the way of thy command- 
ments, when thou shalt enlarge my 
heart. 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and 
a light unto my path. 

Thy testimonies have I taken as a 
heritage for ever: for they are the 
rejoicing of my heart. 

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe : 
and I will have respect unto thy stat- 
utes continually. 

Therefore I love thy commandments 
above gold; yea, above fine gold. 

Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord : 
quicken me according to thy judgments. 

Great peace have they which love thy 
law: and nothing shall offend them. 

Psalm CXXI 

I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, 
from whence cometh my help. 

My help cometh from the Lord, which 
made heaven and earth. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



79 



He will not suffer thy foot to be 
moved: he that keepeth thee will not 
slumber. 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall 
neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is 
thy shade upon thy right hand. 

The sun shall not smite thee by day, 
nor the moon by night. 

The Lord shall preserve thee from all 
evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 

The Lord shall preserve thy going 
out and thy coming in from this time 
forth, and even for evermore. 

Psalm CXXIII 

UNTO thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou 
that dwellest in the heavens. 

Behold, as the eyes of servants look 
unto the hand of their masters, and as 
the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of 
her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the 
Lord our God, until that he have mercy 
upon us. 

Psalm CXXIV 

IF it had not been the Lord who was on 
our side when men rose up against us: 

Then they had swallowed us up, when 
their wrath was kindled against us: 

Then the waters had overwhelmed 
us, the stream had gone over our soul: 

Blessed be the Lord, who hath not 
given us as a prey to their teeth. 

Our soul is escaped as a bird out of 
the snare of the fowlers: the snare is 
broken, and we are escaped. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord, 
who made heaven and earth. 

Psalm CXXVII 

EXCEPT the Lord build the house, they 
labor in vain that build it: except the 



Lord keep the city, the watchman wak- 
eth but in vain. 

It is vain for you to rise up early, 
to sit up late, to eat the bread of 
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved 
sleep. 

TWENTY-NINTH SELECTION 

Psalm CXXX 

OUT of the depths have I cried unto 
thee, O Lord. 

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ear 
be attentive to the voice of my suppli- 
cations. 

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniqui- 
ties, O Lord, who shall stand.f^ 

But there is forgiveness with thee, 
that thou mayest be feared. 

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth 
wait, and in his word do I hope. 

My soul waiteth for the Lord more 
than they that watch for the morning: 
I say, more than they that watch for 
the morning. 

Psalm CXXXIX 

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and 
known me: thou knowest my down- 
sitting and mine uprising; thou under- 
standest my thought afar off. 

Thou compassest my path and my 
lying down, and art acquainted with 
all my ways. 

For there is not a word in my tongue, 
but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it alto- 
gether. 

Thou hast beset me behind and before, 
and laid thine hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful 
for me; it is high, I cannot attain 
unto it. 



80 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



Whither shall I go from thy spirit? 
or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art 
there: if I make my bed in the grave, 
behold, thou art there. 

If I take the wings of the morning, 
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the 
sea; 

Even there shall thy hand lead me, 
and thy right hand shall hold me. 

If I say. Surely the darkness shall 
cover me; even the night shall be light 
about me. 

Yea, the darkness hideth not from 
thee; but the night shineth as the day: 
the darkness and the light are both alike 
to thee. 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully 
and wonderfully made: marvellous are 
thy works; and that my soul knoweth 
right well. 

How precious also are thy thoughts 
unto me, O God! how great is the sum 
of them! 

If I should count them, they are more 
in number than the sand: when I 
awake, I am still with thee. 

Search me, O God, and know 
my heart: try me, and know my 
thoughts : 

And see if there be any wicked way 
in me, and lead me in the way ever- 
lasting. 

THIRTIETH SELECTION 

Psalm CXLV 

I WILL extol thee, O God, my King; 
and I will bless thy name for ever and 
ever. 

Every day will I bless thee; and I w^ill 
praise thy name for ever and ever. 



Great is the Lord, and greatly to be 
praised; and his greatness is un- 
searchable. 

One generation shall praise thy works 
to another, and shall declare thy 
mighty acts. 

I will speak of the glorious honor of 
thy majesty, and of thy wondrous 
works. 

And men shall speak of the might of 
thy terrible acts : and I will declare thy 
greatness. 

They shall abundantly utter the mem- 
ory of thy great goodness, and shall sing 
of thy righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious, and full of com- 
passion; slow to anger, and of great 
mercy. 

The Lord is good to all: and his ten- 
der mercies are over all his works. 

All thy works shall praise thee, O 
Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. 

They shall speak of the glory of thy 
kingdom, and talk of thy power; 

To make known to the sons of men 
his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty 
of his kingdom. 

Thy kingdom is an everlasting king- 
dom, and thy dominion endureth 
throughout all generations. 

The Lord upholdeth all that fall, 
and raiseth up all those that be bowed 
down. 

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and 
thou givest them their meat in due 
season. 

Thou openest thine hand, and satis- 
fiest the desire of every living thing. 

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, 
and holy in all his works. 

The Lord is nigh unto all them that 
call upon him, to all that call upon him 
in truth. 



SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS 



81 



THIRTY-FIRST SELECTION 

Psalm CXLVI 

PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise the Lord 

0 my soul. 

While I live will I praise the Lord: 

1 will sing praises unto my God while I 
have any being. 

Put not your trust in princes, nor in 
the son of man, in whom there is no 
help. 

Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord 
his God: 

Which made heaven, and earth, the 
sea, and all that therein is : which keep- 
eth truth for ever: 

Which executeth judgment for the 
oppressed: which giveth food for the 
hungry. 

Psalm CXLVII 

PRAISE ye the Lord: for it is good to 
sing praises unto our God; for it is pleas- 
ant; and praise is comely. 

He healeth the broken in heart, and 
bindeth up their wounds. He telleth 
the number of stars ; he calleth them all 
by their names. 

Great is our Lord, and of great power: 
his understanding is infinite. 

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, 
who prepareth rain for the earth, who 
maketh grass to grow upon the 
mountains. 

He giveth to the beast his food, and 
to the young ravens which cry. 

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that 
fear him, in those that hope in his 
mercy. 

He sendeth forth his commandment 
upon earth: his word runneth very 
iswiftly. 



He giveth snow like wool: he scat- 
tereth the hoar-frost like ashes. 

He casteth forth his ice like morsels: 
who can stand before his cold? 

He sendeth out his word, and melteth 
them: he causeth his wind to blow and 
the waters flow. 

Psalm CXLVIII 

PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye the 
Lord from the heavens: praise him in 
the heights. 

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise 
ye him, all his hosts. 

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise 
him, all ye stars of light. 

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, 
and ye waters that be above the 
heavens. 

Let them praise the name of the Lord : 
for he commanded, and they were 
created. 

He hath also established them for 
ever and ever: he hath made a decree 
which shall not pass. 

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye 
dragons, and all deeps: 

Fire and hail; snow and vapor; 
stormy wind fulfilling his word: 

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful 
trees, and all cedars: 

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, 
and flying fowl: 

Kings of the earth, and all people; 
princes, and all judges of the earth: 

Both young men and maidens; old 
men and children: 

Let them praise the name of the Lord : 
for his name alone is excellent. 

His glory is above the earth and 
heaven. Praise ye the Lord. 



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